ADfyENTURES 
' STARL^ 

Ei:.ffitB»C£f« SABIN. 



Class 

Book__ 

Copyright N? 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 


I 






STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
IN STARLAND 





Copyright, igo7 
Smally Maynard Sff Company 
Incorporated 



’'TTBBARYof CONGRESS 
Two Cooie*; RecRivRd 

rTB 15 1907 

i Copyright £rtt»7 

/t4. 

CLASS A XXCm WO: 

/ (. 

COPY 6, 


THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A. 


CONTENTS 


Chapter Page 

I. An Invitation from Mr. Comet ... i 

II. A Trip to the Sky 21 

III. Mr. Mars talks about Football . . . 41 

IV. The Bowman and the Half-Bull . . . 62 

V. A Visit to Venus’ School 87 

VI. Mercury, the Messenger Boy . . . .109 

VII. A Chat with Father Neptune . . . .127 

VIII. Jupiter, with his Thunderbolt, to the 

Rescue 147 

IX. Ill-tempered Mr. Moon .166 

X. Good-natured Mrs. Sun — Home Again . 192 


V- ' 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Facing page 


Stella gazing at the Stars 8 

A Wonderful Man appears in the Sky ii ^ . 

Mr. Comet shows his Tail 48 

Aquarius and Sagittarius argue about the Bull . . 74 / 

Venus’s School 104/ 

Father Neptune 

The Thunder-bolt about to strike Hydra . . . . 154,^ 

Unhappy Mr. Moon 184-^' 

Smiling Mrs. Sun appears 194 





Stella^s Adventures 


Chapter I 

AN INVITATION FROM MR. COMET 

T his is not to be a tale about what 
took place once upon a time, which 
means long ago. Of what happened 
then, no one really can be sure. Perhaps 
there were elves and fairies who danced in 
the moonlight on the green sward ; gnomes 
who lived in dark caves far down under the 
ground ; giants with a great fondness for 
tender boys and girls as food ; witches who, 
astride a broomstick, on dark and stormy 
nights sailed through the air to play all 
kinds of wicked pranks on sleeping people ; 
and animals who wore clothes, and talked 
with one another just as you do with your 
playmates. 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

All this is not for me to say. Some 
people scolF at such things, but who truly 
knows ? Still if there ever were such times, 
there is no reason to believe that they have 
ended. The grass on the lawns and in the 
vales and dells is as soft and velvety as it ever 
was; the caverns are as dim and gloomy as 
they could have been in past centuries ; there 
are desert wastes wherein huge giants might 
roam for ages undiscovered and each day grow 
hungrier and hungrier ; the gales of summer 
and the blasts of winter still howl through 
the trees and roar around the eaves and 
down the chimneys, with din and clatter 
enough to arouse any witch from her slum- 
bers ; and who has not owned a dog, horse, 
or cat whose eyes plainly showed that he 
could speak if he only dared, and who 
would not have surprised one much had he 
asked for the latest style of cap or coat? 

So, while this story is to be of a strange 


AN INVITATION FROM MR. COMET 
journey made by a little girl friend of mine, 
and has nothing at all to do with elves, fairies, 
gnomes, giants, witches or even with earthly 
animals, you must not understand me as 
doubting what others have written. And if 
the weird tales of bygone years, which you 
with wide-open eyes read before the winter 
fireside, in fact are true, there is all the more 
reason to believe that the trip which my 
chum says she made to starland the other 
night, and of which you are now to hear, 
is true also. She went alone, so all 1 can 
vouch for is that the events are given to you 
just as she told them to me. 

Before hearing of what she did, you will 
want to know something about the girl her- 
self. Her name is Stella. That means star, 
as those of you who study Latin are aware. 
But you must not think of her as one of those 
star-eyed damsels described in fairy stories, 
with hair like burnished gold, lips red as 
3 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
cherries, ears like pink sea-shells, cheeks 
blushing like the damask rose, and hands 
white and slender as the lily. 

Far from it. To me she seems indeed 
very beautiful, but love beautifies every one 
and all things. As a matter of fact, Stella 
is an every-day little girl, like you, or your 
mate across the street. Her hair is between 
black and brown, her eyes between brown 
and black; her cheeks and hands are brown 
when the sun tans them in summer, and red 
when the wind kisses them in winter. She 
is neither tall nor short, neither fat nor slim ; 
just a hearty, healthy, hungry girl, eating, 
sleeping, studying, working, playing, in a very 
ordinary way. 

In one point only is Stella somewhat 
peculiar : she has a passionate love for the 
stars. As a baby, she would cry at night 
unless her crib was placed close to the win- 
dow. There, if the sky were clear, she would 


4 


AN INVITATION FROM MR. COMET 
lie for hours, flat on her back, gazing up at 
the heavens, cooing and crowing, and waving 
her chubby fists in the air. But if it were 
cloudy so no stars could be seen, she would 
be cross and would need constant care. 

Each year this love grew stronger. Al- 
most as soon as she could read, she learned 
the names and location of the different stars, 
planets and constellations. When alone after 
dark she would talk to them, ask them ques- 
tions, and imagine their replies. 

Once, when her big brother overheard her 
doing this, he cried out, “ Stop your non- 
sense,” but she only replied, I can’t help 
it. They seem alive to me and always have. 
Why, I would not be at all surprised if that 
big fellow over there near the top of the 
poplar tree, spoke to me right now. He 
looks as though he is laughing at us, any 
way.” Then he called her a silly child, and 
stalked away very grandly, as big brothers 
5 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
ofttimes do ; but Stella never has lost faith 
in her stars. 

The house in which this little girl lives is 
large and airy. It stands on the edge of the 
town, where there are no other dwellings to 
hide the view. Around it are acres of well 
kept lawn with paths winding in and out 
among rose bushes and shrubbery. There 
are many trees, too, but all low and well- 
trimmed so that one always can look over 
or through them. 

The windows are long and deep and wide. 
They open out on broad porches, which en- 
circle the house on three sides and extend 
to the second story. There even are little 
galleries in front of the queer windows in 
the high mansard roof. At every turn are 
ideal places to sit and read, or simply to 
gaze and dream. 

Way up on the third story, in an ell at 
the very northwest corner, is Stella’s room. 

6 


AN INVITATION FROM MR. COMET 
Here two huge dormer-windows almost join. 
From the yard they look like old women 
in sun bonnets, gossiping with each other. 
Sitting between them, Stella can see all of 
the sky and country far off to the west, or 
to the north. If she places herself exactly 
facing the corner, she can look in both ways 
at the same time. There is also a little 
opening towards the east. 

Between the dormer-windows is her favor- 
ite nook. Often when twilight comes, here 
she will loll in her big, leather-covered arm- 
chair and greet her star friends as they appear 
one by one. Best of all, it seems to her, it 
is to curl up here at night, when all else have 
gone to bed. Then there is no one to disturb 
her thoughts, no sound to break the stillness. 
As she sits this way, all alone, staring dreamily 
at the sky, is it any wonder that the very quiet 
of the stars seems to steal into her soul, and 
that she sees strange sights and visions ? 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

We have now come to the point where she 
starts on the queerest tour ever taken by a little 
girl, or big girl either, for that matter. I shall 
try and give you all the facts in detail, precisely 
as she has told them over and over to me. 

On a balmy spring evening Stella was 
sitting in her arm-chair between the windows 
in her room. As usual, she faced the corner 
so that without trouble she could look forth, 
now to the north and now to the west. 
It had been a difficult day at school and 
she was tired. Her head ached a little and 
she admits that at first she could not think 
very clearly. But soon her fancy wandered 
among the stars. To the north, the big 
dipper swung above the trees. ‘‘ I wonder,” 
she mused, who drinks out of it. Perhaps 
Santa Claus. He must live near the north 
star, which, like as not, is a big light on the 
end of the north pole. Or perhaps the man 
in the moon.” 


8 



Stella gazing at the Stars 





















AN INVITATION FROM MR. COMET. 

Then Cassiopeia’s Chair invited attention, 
and somewhat in this wise she continued : 

What a grand chair ! But I don’t really 
think it is any better than mine. Some way 
it looks kind of hard and stiff. Wish I 
could sit in it, though, just for a minute.” 

Now she turned her head to the west and 
a cry of amazement escaped from her lips. 
No wonder ! There towards the south, low 
down in the heavens, slowly cutting his way 
through the dark blue vault, hung Sirius, the 
dog-star, a dazzling globe of glistening white. 
« Oh, is n’t he a beauty ! ” she exclaimed. 

And why do people call him a dog-star ? 
Wonder if he honestly is a dog. Wouldn’t 
I like to pat him on the head, and have him 
in our backyard instead of that ugly bull- 
pup Hector. Wish he would bark once so 
I could hear him.” In her excitement she 
had leaned far forward in her chair, but now 
she sank back again and for several moments, 
9 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
almost breathless, she gazed straight at the 
dog-star’s big white face. 

The night was calm and still, and so, after 
a little while, she slowly closed her eyes. 

But Stella did not go to sleep. Mind 
you, she did not forget herself for one single 
instant. Of that she is very positive. No 
doubt she would have slept, but just as she 
was on the border of dreamland, there came 
to her ears, gently at first, but ever louder 
and clearer, a mellow, silvery baying as 
though some bell-mouthed hound were call- 
ing to her from far away in the distance. 
At first the sound was so regular and rhyth- 
mical that it did not disturb her thoughts, 
but rather mingled with them. Gradually, 
however, the long-drawn notes became 
shorter and more emphatic, till at length 
her ears were bombarded by a series of yelps, 
sharp and impatient, but still musical. 

This was too much for Stella’s peace of 


AN INVITATION FROM MR. COMET 

mind. In an instant she was all alert. 
First, she sat up in her chair and listened. 
Then, with a bound, she sprang out on the 
gallery, and leaning over the railing she 
peered around among the trees and bushes. 
Surely no dog or other animal was there. 
Then, as the noise continued, more and 
more furiously, and now seemed to come 
from above, she found herself searching the 
tree-tops, the eaves, and even the roof, but 
with no success. 

Every moment she became more aroused 
and curious. There is something some- 
where barking at me, and I ’m going to 
find it if it takes all night,” she remarked 
to herself. Then came another great sur- 
prise. From somewhere behind her, a shrill, 
quavering voice called out, What ’s the 
matter with the dog-star ? Did n’t I hear 
you, a short time ago, wishing you could 
hear him bark ? ” 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 


Stella turned around with a start. I beg 
your pardon,” she said, for she is a very well 
brought-up child, “ I did not know any one 
was here.” Imagine her astonishment when 
she found herself addressing the empty air. 
The voice seemed to have come from nowhere, 
just as did the baying and the yelping. 

Now she began to be frightened, and, 
though she denies it, I myself think that she 
would have run scampering through the hall 
and called her big brother, had not the odd 
appearance of the northern sky diverted her. 
Close to Cassiopeia’s Chair, there appeared 
a yellow blotch, as though some giant hand 
had thrown a big bunch of golden rod up 
against the blue vault. 

Even as my little friend gazed, this mass 
began to assume shape and form. Two 
straggling fragments at the bottom developed 
into a pair of slender, though shapely legs. 
Two fluttering streamers at the top fell down 


12 



A Wonderful Man appears in the Sky 





















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AN INVITATION FROM MR. COMET 
along the sides and became very presentable 
arms and hands. Then a round body easily 
could be descried, and perched on top of it, 
a chubby head that clearly must belong to 
a very jolly gentleman indeed. The eyes 
w^ere a bright, cherry red, like bits of iron 
the smith hammers on his anvil ; and the 
lips \vere full and puckering, as though natu- 
rally inclined to smiles. 

Stella, though greatly startled, at once felt 
attracted by this wonderful man, but being 
well-bred, she waited for him to speak first. 
It was not long. Suddenly he raised his 
arms over his head, straightened up to his 
full height, and yelled down to her in that 
same quavering voice, ‘‘ What ’s the matter 
with the dog-star ? ” Then she, not to be 
outdone, stood up on tip-toe, threw her 
arms above her, and in her childish treble, 
answered, ^‘He’s all right!” 

Quickly the man bent forward till his 
13 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
hands rested on his knees. He shook his 
head fiercely, and fairly roared, ‘‘ Who ’s all 
right ? ” while Stella, entering fully into the 
spirit of the game, shouted back at the top 
of her voice, ‘‘ The dog-star ! ” 

At this the old gentleman seemed vastly 
tickled. His eyes rolled and tumbled and 
his whole frame quivered with laughter. As 
soon as he could control himself, which he 
seemed to do with difficulty, he made Stella 
a most courtly bow, and addressed her 
politely : And you are all right, too, I 

reckon. You see, I Ve been watching you 
night after night and feel quite well ac- 
quainted with you. I was listening when 
you wished you could hear the dog-star bark, 
and then, when you didn’t know what all 
that yelping was, I thought I ’d give you 
a pointer. It’s that pesky dog-star, that’s 
what it is, and if I could reach a club, I ’d 
make him stop his racket mighty quick.” 


AN INVITATION FROM MR. COMET 
By this time Stella’s fear and amazement 
all had vanished. It seemed the most natu- 
ral thing in the world that she should be 
standing leaning over the gallery-railing and 
conversing with this funny blond gentleman 
up in the air. 

As he seemed to be waiting for her to say 
something, she remarked very respectfully, 
I hope you do not mind my asking, but 
really I ’d like to have you tell me your 
name.” 

Comet,” he replied; ^‘Mr. Comet. Those 
rude little Asteroid boys call me ^ Commy,’ 
but I don’t like it, and if they keep it up 
much longer I ’ll have them arrested. Don’t 
you know a comet when you see one?” 

<<Why,” answered Stella, ‘‘I thought comets 
spent all their time scooting around in the 
sky, millions and millions of miles a minute. 
You ’re standing stock-still.” 

‘‘To be sure I am,” said Mr. Comet. “ It’s 
15 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
a nice life we lead, all the time revolving in 
an orbit, with never a chance to rest. I ’m 
sick of it. How would you like it if some 
one should put you out on the fair grounds 
and make you run round and round the race 
track for ever and ever? ” 

Stella had to confess that she would not 
enjoy it at all. 

‘‘Exactly,” continued the Comet. “Now 
I have been abused long enough, and not 
another move do I make till I get my rights.” 
H ere he stamped his foot on the sky, closed 
his lips tight together, folded his arms, and 
looked very decided indeed. 

“What are your rights?” asked Stella. 
“You talk as though you had lots of trou- 
bles.” 

“Troubles?” shouted Mr. Comet, becom- 
ing somewhat stirred up, “ I should say I 
do have plenty of them. In the first place, 
I get very hot and thirsty, especially on sul- 

i6 


AN INVITATION FROM MR. COMET 
try summer nights, exercising all the time, 
and there is not a single thing fit to drink 
out of. Look at the Little Dipper, and 
the Big Dipper, too, will you? No bottom 
in them at all. I would not mind a hole in 
the bottom, because I could plug that up 
with my finger, or with the combings out 
of my tail; but when the bottom is all hole, 
then I draw the line. It’s a nuisance, that’s 
what it is. I’m getting a little stiff in the 
joints and when I try to bend over and lap 
out of the Milky Way, the stuff runs up my 
nose and into my eyes; it makes my beard 
all soggy and covers my waistcoat with 
grease spots. I’ll not stand it any longer. 
Do you know of a single dipper, cup, pot, 
kettle, pan, bottle, or even a tub, with a 
bottom in it, in the whole heavens?” 

Stella was sorry, but she could not re- 
member anything of the kind. 

Well,” Mr. Comet went on, « I thought 

2 17 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
so. Then there is nothing fit for a man of 
my years to drink. I Ve been quenching my 
thirst from the Milky Way till I’m tired of it. 
Milk was all right when I was a baby, and I 
did n’t mind it much when I was a young 
man ; but for an old man, thousands and 
thousands of years old, I say it’s too weak a 
diet. Tea, now, might do, or coffee perhaps, 
just to brace me up when I’m tired. Say,” 
and here Mr. Comet leaned over and whis- 
pered very confidentially, ‘‘ you have n’t hap- 
pened to learn, in school, about something 
good to drink anywhere up here, have you ? ” 
Stella regretted that she had not. 

^‘That settles it,” replied Mr. Comet. 

Here I stay, and I’ll not set foot in my 
orbit again for anybody until I’m given an 
eight-hour night, with the rest of the time for 
play, something invigorating to drink, and 
something with a bottom in it to drink out 
of. Now I see Cassiopeia has gone gadding 

i8 


AN INVITATION FROM MR. COMET 
around somewhere, and I think I ’ll take a 
nap in her chair. I ’m all tired out.” So 
saying, he sat down, crossed his legs, folded 
his arms, tipped back his head, closed his 
eyes, and in less time than it takes to tell 
it, seemed sound asleep. 

Stella wondered what she should do next, 
but before she had made up her mind the 
Comet woke up long enough to say, ‘^I 
don’t intend to sleep more than an hour 
or so. Then, as it ’s my night off, I ’m 
going to run around and call on my friends. 
There ’s Lady Venus ; Mars, who ’s always 
looking for a scrap ; Neptune, who once 
lived in the ocean; old Mr. Moon, who’s 
in poor health and somewhat cross ; Mrs. 
Sun, his wife, who’s as jolly as can be; 
and a whole lot of them. No end of fun. 
Better come up and go with us. It ’s easy. 
Just walk right along the sky same as I 
do. Can’t slip if you try. Come ahead ! 
19 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
You ’ve read about Jupiter’s belt and Sat- 
urn’s rings. I ’ll show them to you.” And 
Mr. Comet was fast asleep again. 

Stella hesitated. Was it right for her to 
stray so far from home, at least without asking 
her father and mother? and she knew they 
would say ‘‘No.” While she pondered, again 
she heard the silvery baying of the dog-star, but 
this time she detected a note of welcome and 
encouragement. That decided her. “ I ’ll do 
it! ” she cried. “No one ought to care, and 
I may never get such a chance again.” 

Just as she was about to start there came 
to her ears from the north another sound, 
which at first she took for an empty farmer’s 
wagon rumbling over the high wooden bridge 
across the creek. 

“ Now I shall always know what it is when 
folks say it thunders at night out of a clear sky,” 
she chuckled. “ It is Mr. Comet snoring.” 


20 


Chapter II 

A TRIP TO THE SKY 

S TELLA at once made ready for her jour- 
ney. Not much preparation was neces- 
sary. Already she was fully dressed, 
just as on her return from school. Her kid 
shoes, however, were changed for a stouter 
and thicker pair, with heavier soles, because, 
as she said to herself, while the sky looked 
perfectly dry and smooth, it might be damp, 
and perhaps in places rough and splintery. 
Over her shoulders she threw a light blue 
shawl, and with a final glance about the 
room to see that there was nothing else she 
wanted, she gently opened the door and 
softly stepped out. 

Quietly she stole along the hall ; past 
the half open door of the nursery, where 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
slept her little brother; past the rooms of 
Marie, the maid, and of Jack, who had 
laughed when he had heard her talking to 
the stars ; down the back stairs, and out 
through the door. 

Hector tugged at his chain and gave a 
whine of welcome, but there was no time to 
linger. Around the house and across the 
yard she sped, and into the street, which led 
straight towards the north. Here for an 
instant she paused, to glance over head. 
There, in his chair, sat her new-found friend, 
still slumbering peacefully. 

« He has n’t moved a bit,” said Stella, 
« but I must hurry and reach him before he 
wakes up.” 

Along the dusty road she scurried, walk- 
ing up hill, running down hill, looking 
neither to the right nor to the left, only 
intent on arriving, as soon as possible, at the 
place where the land really did seem to run 


22 


A TRIP TO THE SKY 
up into the sky. But soon her thumping 
heart and gasping breath warned her that she 
must go more slowly. 

Now she began to look about her. The 
noisy city had been left behind. Could any- 
thing in heaven be fairer or sweeter than this 
peaceful country side ! The air was fragrant 
with the earthy odor of early spring. The 
brooks fairly foamed and bubbled in mirth 
at their escape, at last, from winter’s cruel 
grasp. Among the trees, the night wind 
kindly kissed the buds bursting on every 
branch, and along the hedges it whispered of 
violets abloom on moss-grown banks, or 
fields of fresh-blown clover soon to come. 
In the pastures, sleek cattle nipped the 
sprouting grass, or lying near the barn-yard, 
placidly chewed the cud, and gazed solemnly 
at this small wayfarer, trudging so swiftly by. 
A big gray horse galloped down to the fence 
and whinnied his welcome; while a tiny 
23 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
colt, frightened by her approach, galloped 
away as fast as his wobbling legs could carry 
him. Here and there a house dog barked ; 
and once, a stray rooster, thinking dawn was 
near, else such a dainty child would not be 
abroad alone, crowed lustily. 

All these things and more Stella noted as 
she passed, but nothing delayed her. What 
if Mr. Comet should wake, and start out on 
his trip without her ! 

At length she reached the crest of a high 
bluff. In the valley, far below, wound in 
and out the ribbon of a river, now more 
than half obscured by circling wreaths of 
mist. The road dropped straight down this 
hill to the bank, where there could be dimly 
seen the entrance to the bridge which 
spanned the stream. 

As she advanced, the fog grew heavier, 
but easily she kept the way, as though guided 
by some hidden power. So dense became 
24 


A TRIP TO THE SKY 
the enveloping clouds that even her hands 
and feet were concealed from view ; but by 
the hollow sound of the rough planks she 
knew when she began to cross the bridge. 

So on and on she walked, when suddenly 
she realized that the echoing footfalls had 
ceased. Instead of boards, there seemed to 
be under her something soft and yielding, like 
the velvety carpets in the parlors at home. 
She appeared to be mounting slowly, too, as 
one flounders up and over a huge bank of 
half-packed snow. 

At the same time, the whole drift by 
which she was surrounded clearly was mov- 
ing, — twisting and swaying, as if impelled 
by a strong wind, and meanwhile soaring 
heavenward. The mist was floating and 
rising, — and carrying Stella with it ! 

Now she was thoroughly dismayed, but 
in a moment she exclaimed, Why, it feels 
as though the fog is taking me straight up, 

25 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
and I ’m climbing up on the fog. Soon we ’ll 
go bump against the sky, and then perhaps I 
can step right on to it.” 

This thought gave her new energy, and 
her arms and legs waved frantically, as she 
tried to crawl on top, so that she might see 
where she was going, and be ready to dis- 
embark at the proper moment ; but although 
the double sensation of ascending continued, 
she was almost discouraged before there 
came any change in her condition. 

Stella tells me that this was the most 
trying period of her whole adventure. So 
closely was she wrapped in clouds that she 
could see nothing, could hear nothing, could 
feel nothing ; but just as she was about to 
despair of escaping ever, something happened, 
and very quickly. 

With a squeaking, crunching sound, the 
whole mass came to a stop instantly. Stella 
found herself rolling over and over, as, with 
26 


A TRIP TO THE SKY 
absolutely no control of her body, she shot 
forward, at first violently, and then more and 
more slowly, till finally, with a gentle jar, her 
feet thumped against some substance firm 
and solid. While this had been taking place, 
the mist had begun to break into eddying 
wreaths and circles, even as it was when she 
first saw it from the hill above the river. 
Looking downward, she detected here and 
there a patch of blue. 

Immediately she dropped on her knees, 
and with bare hands, explored in all direc- 
tions. Everywhere she touched a smooth, 
clean surface, a trifle more yielding than ice 
or glass, but still quite hard and firm ; and 
the fog, as it slowly vanished, disclosed the 
fact that in all directions was one vast, blue 
expanse. With a cry of joy, Stella realized 
that at length she was on the sky ! 

Soon joy gave place to fear. If where she 
thought herself to be, her head must be hang- 
27 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
ing in space, or at least sticking straight out, 
like a fly climbing up the wall. What was 
to prevent her from falling? To be sure, 
she was not falling yet, but it occurred to 
her that any moment she might commence 
a hurried plunge through the air. Such an 
idea was enough to frighten any one. 

Stella is a very self-possessed little body, 
however, and while alarmed, she did not cry 
nor grow hysterical, as some people might 
have done. On the contrary, she sat down, 
because it seemed safer than standing, and 
said to herself that she would not go a step 
farther till she had reasoned it all out. So 
she remained for some moments motionless, 
looking like some graven image on a broad, 
blue field, while the little wrinkles on her 
forehead, and her indrawn lips, showed plainly 
that she was studying harder than she usually 
did in school. 

Presently the cheeriest of smiles lit up 
28 


A TRIP TO THE SKY 
her face and she clapped her hands together 
gleefully. Now I have it,” she said, ‘‘and 
I ’m every bit as safe here as I am at home. 
My, but I ’m lots better already.” 

“You see, it’s just this way,” she con- 
tinued, still talking to herself. “ When I 
was a mite of a girl in B 5 th grade, I used 
to think how funny the people in China, 
on the other side of the world, must feel, 
because they lived upside-down, with their 
heads dangling in the air, and perhaps hav- 
ing to pin their pigtails on to their coats, 
so they would not fall straight out below 
them. Then, when I got into the high 
school, teacher told us that ‘ down ’ is always 
towards the centre of the earth, and that 
the boys and girls in China have the ground 
under them, same as we do.” 

“ Well,” she went on, “ if on the earth, 
‘ down ’ is towards the earth’s centre, here 
on the sky, ‘ down ’ must be towards the 
29 


STELLA^S ADVENTURES 
sky’s centre, way under my feet, and to fall 
I ’d have to fall up, which is n’t possible. 
I ’m not at all scared now, and I ’m going 
to find Mr. Comet as fast as ever I can.” 

While Stella had mused in this way, mist 
and fog had disappeared. As she arose, what 
a vision spread out before her! Spell-bound, 
she stood and gazed ; and well she might. 

Far over head, the canopy hung inky black, 
but pierced here, there, and everywhere by 
arms and streamers of light, flaring, fading, 
advancing, retreating, as you have seen the 
head-light on some mighty engine project its 
glare into the stormy night, and flash un- 
known signals on the clouds above the city. 

Below this ray-pierced vault of jet, all 
around and above her, was a soft and mel- 
low glow, as that shed by the blood-red 
moon in harvest time, only whiter, stronger, 
and also more mysterious, because its source 
was entirely invisible. From beneath her 
30 


A TRIP TO THE SKY 
feet, in all directions, stretched the boundless 
sky, shading from blue to green, from green 
to blue, as the wavering lights and shadows 
came and went. 

Stella had supposed that the heavens were 
one vast, flat expanse, all of the same hue ; 
but great had been her mistake. Where she 
stood seemed to be the centre of a field, or 
meadow, of the purest azure; but to the 
right were rolling hills of darkest violet, with, 
between them, valleys deepening into indigo, 
and even black. To the left rose jagged 
bluffs or mountains of purple, whose crests 
and peaks gleamed with the white of the 
diamond. One giant point at the very end 
of the chain burned red as a ruby. 

Nor were these various colors sharply de- 
fined. One could not say that here ends the 
turquoise blue and there commences the 
emerald green, or point out where the violet 
of the hilltop ceased, and the darkness of 
31 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
the valley began. All merged and blended 
together, gently, gradually, — pleasing to the 
eye and soothing to the mind. 

So, perhaps, upon a summer day, you may 
have sat entranced, and watched the yellow 
plains swell into foothills, gray and drab, 
while they in turn soar into mountains 
brown and black. Yet who ever marked 
the dividing line where the first foothill 
arises, or where the last one gives way to 
the mountains? 

As you may imagine, Stella was so en- 
thralled by what she saw that she lost all 
track of time and of her desire to find Mr. 
Comet. For all I know, she might be 
standing there yet, staring with all her eyes, 
had not a calling, as of human voices in the 
distance, brought her to herself again. 

Then, for the first time, she noticed near 
her what seemed to be a well-worn path, 
leading off towards the hills on the right. 


A TRIP TO THE SKY 


Along this path a number of bright objects 
were approaching her rapidly. As they drew 
closer, she was surprised, and perhaps re- 
lieved, to find that they were apparently 
a lot of boys, brilliantly and fantastically 
dressed, but still very similar to some 
of her friends at home. 

Forward, on the dead run, came these 
urchins, laughing, shouting, and carrying 
on, just as if no school-girl from the 
earth were inspecting them so carefully. 

When but a few yards from her, they halted 
suddenly, grouped together till their shoul- 
ders almost touched, and in unison gave this 
yell, twice repeated: 


Haw ! Haw ! Haw ! 

Hi! Hi! Hi! 
Asteroid ! Asteroid ! 
S! K!! Y!!!” 


The first time through, the three final 
letters of the yell were pronounced sharply 
3 33 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
and quickly ; but the last time they were 
prolonged, especially the which was 

drawn out like the howl of a wolf. 

Evidently satisfied with the impression 
they had made, the boys now stood quietly, 
while one, a little larger than the rest, and 
apparently their captain, stepped forward and 
touched his cap politely. Stella noted that 
he, like his companions, was clad neatly 
though vividly. His cap and his sweater 
were the brightest red, and so were the 
stockings which extended from the tops of 
his low shoes to the bottom of his black 
knickerbockers. 

Frank and open was his face. His spark- 
ling blue eyes looked fearlessly into hers. 
His cheeks were clean and rosy ; and though 
a slightly upturned nose gave somewhat of a 
mischievous cast to his countenance, all in 
all he seemed a wholesome, decent lad, and 
one to be trusted. 


34 


A TRIP TO THE SKY 

While Stella was jotting down these points 
he began to speak to her: ‘‘Hope we didn’t 
scare you. We’re out for a lark, and are 
having all kinds of fun.” 

“No, I wasn’t scared a bit,” Stella an- 
swered promptly. “You honestly make me 
think of some of the crowd at home. But 
won’t you tell me your name? I’m Stella.” 

“Oh, we’re the Asteroid boys! Thought 
you’d guess. Old Commy calls us ‘pesky,’ 
but you must n’t believe all he tells you 
about us. He’s such a funny old chap that 
we can’t help teasing him. S’pose we go too 
far sometimes, but we don’t mean to. We 
just can’t help getting into trouble. Last 
night we tied the little dipper to the dog- 
star’s tail, and you ought to have seen him 
run. We ’ll catch it when we get home ; 
but a lickin’ does n’t hurt much after it ’s 
over.” 

All this the little Asteroid rattled off as 


35 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
fast as he could talk, till he had to stop for 
breath. Then he went on: << But Commy ’s 
all right. No one else better make fun of 
him while we’re around. Why, last Fourth 
of July, when I most blowed my foot off 
fooling with a bunch of northern lights, 
Mr. Comet bandaged me all up, and went 
clear out of his way to carry me home. 
Right good of him, I say. We won’t for- 
get it, will we, boys ? ” And his comrades 
shouted, No ! ” very emphatically. 

That ’s a good spirit,” thought Stella ; 
« perhaps these boys can direct me where I 
want to go.” Then aloud, ‘‘ I wonder if 
you won’t be kind enough to help me. I 
want to find Mr. Comet, and haven’t the 
slightest notion where he is.” 

‘‘ That ’s just what we ’re here for,” re- 
plied the spokesman. <‘We heard him invite 
you up, and then never tell you the way; 
so we looked around for you, and if you’ll 
36 


A TRIP TO THE SKY 
come with us, we’ll take you to him in a 
jiffy.” 

‘‘ That ’s clever of you,” said Stella ; ‘‘ and 
please let ’s start at once. I ’m so afraid he 
will wake up and wander off before I can 
get to him.” 

Upon hearing this the leader turned and 
spoke a few words to the others. Then 
they all commenced to move along the 
path towards the hills, and Stella followed 
just behind them. At first the Asteroids 
proceeded in an orderly manner, but soon 
their good spirits seemed to get the better 
of them again. She never knew how it 
began, but one gave a push, another a 
shove ; a third snatched a cap, and ran ; a 
fourth chased him; soon all were running, 
dancing, screaming, playing leap-frog, and 
cutting up all kinds of pranks and capers, 
— but still, in a general way, keeping the 
road. 


37 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

Their queer antics made Stella laugh till 
the tears came, but she went on as fast as 
she could walk, and the distance between 
herself and her fellow-travellers remained 
always about the same. 

After a while they came to the edge of 
a deep vale, into which the footpath sank 
abruptly. All below was darkness, and Stella 
hesitated. Seeing this, one of her guides 
called back, Don’t be afraid. There ’s 
nothing to hurt you. Just watch our red 
caps. They ’ll shine all right, and you can’t 
get lost.” 

Stella then plucked up courage, and half 
walking, half sliding, plunged into the gloom. 
After all, it was not as bad as might be 
imagined. Merrily the caps, glowing as 
though red hot, danced on ahead of her. 
She was reminded of one cloudy night when 
she had chased fireflies out on the lawn at 
home. 


38 


A TRIP TO THE SKY 
Soon she was at the bottom, and as the 
valley was not wide, almost before she knew 
it she was struggling up the steep trail on 
the other side. Every now and then she 
had to halt to catch her breath, but the ring- 
ing shouts and gleaming caps of the Aste- 
roids coaxed her on. Before long she could 
see them, sharply outlined, on the rim above 
her. With a final dash, she herself reached 
the top, and stood, breathless, among them. 
For a few moments they kindly waited for 
her to recover fully ; then again they hast- 
ened on ahead, and again Stella followed as 
fast as possible. 

So the strange procession took its way, 
winding in and out among hills and ridges,, 
till Stella could not help thinking that per- 
haps her pilots were playing a trick on her. 
This did them injustice, however, for now, 
without warning, the path made an abrupt 
turn to the right, around a projecting ledge 
39 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
with echoing cries the Asteroids scattered in 
all directions ; and — wonder of wonders — 
there right before her, in all the glory of 
Cassiopeia’s silvery chair, sat Mr. Comet, 
still fast asleep! 


40 


Chapter III 

MR. MARS TALKS ABOUT FOOTBALL 

O NE would suppose that by this time 
Stella would have been tired out 
and ready for a nap herself; but 
such was not the case. She claims that 
she was as wide awake as ever in her life, 
and not at all worn or sleepy. The air was 
pure and exhilarating ; every breath made 
her eyes sparkle, her cheeks glow, and her 
nerves tingle. Instead of being weary from 
her jaunt, she was perfectly fresh and ready 
for new adventures. 

Mr. Comet, it seemed, had changed his 
position from what it was when, from the 
corner of her yard, Stella last had looked 
at him. His legs, instead of being crossed, 
were sprawled out in front of him; his arms, 
41 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

no longer folded, swung limply on each side 
of the chair; and to tell the truth, his mouth 
was spread wide open, in a manner not at all 
becoming. At first glance she was disap- 
pointed in his general appearance. Then 
she remembered how exhausted he must 
have been from spinning constantly round 
and round in his orbit; and she recalled 
the many cares and trials he had to worry 
him. 

‘^Poor old man,” she said; ‘‘no wonder 
he is all tuckered out. “ I ’ll not wake him, 
but watch here, still as a mouse, till his sleep 
is over.” 

Nor did she have long to wait. Already 
Mr. Comet began to show signs of restless- 
ness. With a jerk he drew one of his feet 
close to the chair ; with a flop he threw one 
of his arms across his lap; and his head he 
turned to one side, as though seeking a 
softer spot. Finally, with a sigh, he sat up, 
42 


MR. MARS TALKS ABOUT FOOTBALL 


yawned prodigiously, rubbed his eyes, and 
then blinked and stared around, as if he 
could not tell where he was. Soon he 
recognized Stella, and immediately his face 
brightened. She seemed to remind him of 
what had taken place. 

Well,” he remarked, with a smile, for 
a minute I couldn’t place myself. It’s been 
many a long year since I have had a chance 
to doze in such a comfortable chair. So 
you ’ve come to see old man Comet and 
the stars, have you ? That ’s right ; 
and you ’re indeed welcome. Now 
you must excuse me,” he added, 

‘‘ while I make my toilet. Luckily, 
there is Aquarius, the water-bearer, oIF 
towards the south. Right in time for 
my evening tub.” He clapped 
hands together as one summons a servant. 

Stella was so turned around that she was 
not sure just which way was south ; but, 
43 



STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
looking in the direction indicated by Mr. 
Comet, she beheld approaching them a man 
scantily clad, with bare head and feet. His 
left arm was extended in front of him, and 
under his right was a jar, from which water 
poured in an endless stream. 

As he drew near, Mr. Comet called out. 
Wasteful, as usual, Aquarius. Why don’t 
you hold that jar right-side-up ? ” 

What is the use ? ” answered Aquarius, in 
a monotonous, drawling voice, each word 
being pronounced distinctly. The water 
has been spilling out that way ever since I 
can remember, and yet the receptacle never 
becomes even partly empty. My burden 
always is a heavy one.” 

We won’t quarrel about that,” said the 
Comet. Every man in the sky, as well as 
on earth, has his task, I reckon. Now stop 
a minute, please, while I wash myself a bit.” 

So saying, Mr. Comet held his hands in 


44 


MR. MARS TALKS ABOUT FOOTBALL 
the running water, and cleansed them, as 
well as his face, thoroughly. He then pro- 
ceeded to dry himself by means of a large 
silk handkerchief, which he produced from 
some place about his person, while Aquarius 
— his urn, if anything, more tilted than ever 
— mechanically plodded away. Stella was 
touched by the doleful words and woeful 
appearance of the water-bearer, and longed 
to help him ; but there was nothing she 
could do, and soon he was lost to view. 

Now while Mr. Comet continued to make 
himself tidy, she had an opportunity to ob- 
serve him carefully. From his heels to his 
head she examined minutely. He turned 
out to be a well-dressed old gentleman, 
very different from the way he looked when 
stretched out, at rest, in the chair. His feet 
were encased in a pair of tan shoes, some- 
what heavy, to withstand continuous walk- 
ing, but neat and stylish. Black silk hose, 
45 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
of finest texture, without crease or wrin- 
kle, disappeared under bright yellow knee- 
breeches, each clasped with a polished silver 
buckle. A low-cut waistcoat of spotless 
white encircled his somewhat portly body, 
and over this was worn a magnificent long- 
tailed coat, of the same shade of glaring 
yellow as his breeches. His shirt front, 
snowy white, was almost concealed by a 
long, though well-trimmed beard. 

His face seemed attractive, though some- 
what comical. The chin was almost double, 
the mouth a trifle large, the nose a little 
upturned, the ears a little outstanding, eye- 
brows a reddish brown, and, to cap the 
climax, the top of his head was so smooth 
and bald that it was actually luminous. 

After Mr. Comet had arranged his attire 
to suit him, he reached under the chair and 
extracted therefrom a tall, white, beaver hat, 
which he commenced to rub and smooth 

46 


MR. MARS TALKS ABOUT FOOTBALL 

with his handkerchief. While doing this, he 
became aware that Stella was gazing at him 
curiously. 

What ’s the matter?” he asked. 

“ If it won’t hurt your feelings,” Stella re- 
plied, I ’m trying to make out where your 
tail is. My books say all comets have tails.” 

« To be sure,” said Mr. Comet. But 
you don’t suppose I let mine lie around loose 
when I ’m not using it, do you ? Why, if I 
left it spread out on the sky when I went to 
bed it would be ruined in no time. Those 
pesky Asteroids would play crack the whip 
over it; the dog-star would chew holes in it; 
Aquarius would splash water on it, and 
1 don’t know what would n’t happen. It 
would be a sight to behold, that ’s what it 
would. So when not in need of it, I coil 
it up tight under the tails of my coat. 
But if you really want to see it,” he con- 
tinued, ^‘here it is.” 


47 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

With this he stood up very straight, 
pressed his hands against his sides, and — 
lo, and behold ! Slowly at first, and then 
more and more rapidly, with a whirring 
sound, there shot out behind him yard 
after yard of fluffy, flimsy stuff, which 
rolled and waved along the sky in a shim- 
mering, lustrous, billowy mass, as of finest 
strands of molten gold. 

A cry of sheer delight issued from Stella’s 
lips. This seemed to please the Comet. 

‘‘What do you think of that?” he queried. 

“ Oh, I can’t find words to express it ! ” 
was all Stella could exclaim. “I never saw 
anything like it!” 

Mr. Comet beamed his satisfaction. “ A 
very fair sort of tail,” he observed ; “ a very 
fair sort of tail. Now, listen while I tell 
you something that you may want to re- 
member. A Comet’s tail is a sure sign of 
his standing and breeding. Whenever you 

48 



Comet shows his Tail 













MR. MARS TALKS ABOUT FOOTBALL ' 
see one with a mussy, kinky, skimpy tail, 
you can set him down as not worthy your 
acquaintance. An appendage such as mine” 
— here he glanced behind him compla- 
cently — <‘is worn by only a few in the sky.” 

For some time Mr. Comet stood, as though 
deep in thought, or perhaps engaged in the 
contemplation of the glories of his person. 
Then he remarked abruptly, ‘‘ Enough of 
this. You ’ll begin to consider me stuck 
up. I was only dreaming of by-gone years. 
I ’m getting to be an old, old man, and that 
tail is about all I have left. It has taken no 
little care to keep it in such perfect condi- 
tion all these centuries, but it is well worth 
it. Now let ’s get ready to start.” 

With a clickety, click-click, as you have 
wound a tape-measure up in its round case, 
he recoiled his precious burden, and hid it 
again under his coat. 

That is the most particular part of the 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
whole job,” he explained. ‘‘I have to exercise 
the greatest caution, or it will get knotted and 
snarled. It ought to run back and forth in lay- 
ers, smoothly and evenly, as thread is wound 
on a spool. I have it all right now, I guess.” 

There seemed to be nothing else to be 
done, and Stella was wondering when and 
wViaf- rl^r<-i-tion they were to go. All at 
once she heard a whining, and 



felt something licking her hand. 


Jumping nimbly to one side. 


she looked down, and there 


beheld the biggest, whitest, most graceful dog 
on which she had ever set her eyes. 

“Well, if there isn’t the dog-star!” cried 
Mr. Comet. “I rather thought he would 
come over to play with you. Have you any 
animals like that in your neighborhood?” 

Stella did not answer, for she was too sur- 
prised to talk. Such an immense, magnifi- 
cent beast she never before had seen. His 


50 


MR. MARS TALKS ABOUT FOOTBALL 
legs were lengthy, as those of the grey- 
hound, though much thicker; his body re- 
sembled that of a mastiff, but the tail was 
heavily fringed, as is a setter’s. Between the 
ears, large and flopping as those of a spaniel, 
the head was somewhat broad; the muzzle 
was slim and tapering ; the lips, hanging 
down below the jaws, spoke of the blood- 
hound. The one thing, however, that most 
fascinated Stella, was his wonderful coat of 
hair. This was long, smooth, and silky ; and 
of such a glistening, dazzling white, that she 
almost shielded her eyes as she gazed at him. 

While the dog-star had been undergoing 
this inspection, he had stood quite still. His 
tail wagged slowly from side to side, and 
occasionally he gave vent to a little whine 
of impatience. Now he sprang towards her, 
and playfully tried to place his front paws on 
her shoulders. In alarm, she ran to Mr. 
Comet for protection. 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
Get down, sir ! ” called Mr. Comet. 

Don’t you know better than to bother a 
girl that way till she is better acquainted 
with you ? Shame on you ! ” Whereat the 
dog-star retreated, and sat on his haunches 
contritely. 

Stella soon grew braver, and, walking over, 
patted him on the head. 

That ’s right,” said Mr. Comet. “ He 
isn’t the least bit dangerous. Just talk to 
him as you would to any other star. He 
can’t speak himself, but he understands 
every word you utter. Don’t you remem- 
ber that he overheard you, in your room, 
wishing he would bark, and then he howled 
to please you ? If it had n’t been for him, 
you would n’t be up here at all.” 

I believe I ’m going to be fond of him,” 
Stella remarked. But where did he get 
such a mournful expression ? He looks as 
if his heart were broken ; or perhaps he is 
52 


MR. MARS TALKS ABOUT FOOTBALL 


brooding over some wrong. What ’s his 
name ? ” 


“ Sirius,” replied the Comet. Every 
schoolgirl ought to know that ; and as to his 
being solemn, you would n’t have a serious 
dog grinning, would you ? ” 

Can’t we take him with us ? ” Stella 
asked. 


Of course we can,” was the answer ; 
but I don’t believe we shall start yet. 
Mars is the first person I intend to call 
on, and, if I ’m not mistaken, he ’s 
coming this way now. Out for one 
of his cross-country runs, I suppose.” 

This proved to be the case, 

Stella observed the new arrival with 
great curiosity. Along he came, at 
a jog-trot. While he might be 
out for exercise, he certainly was 
making a business of it. His head was 
thrown back, his chest arched out in front 



53 




STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
of him, and his arms, crooked at the elbows, 
swung back and forth mechanically. Every 
motion was as regular as though planned 
beforehand. 

In comparison with Mr. Comet, Mr. Mars 
presented a slovenly and unattractive appear- 
ance. On the back of his bullet-shaped head 
perched a little soiled cap, in front of which 
his close-cropped hair — a brick red — stood 
straight up, pompadour fashion. His face 
was clean shaven, and displayed all the de- 
tails of low, retreating forehead, flat nose, 
small ears, wide mouth, with thick lips, and 
square, protruding chin. His garments were 
the worse for wear. A faded scarlet sweater 
covered his body, and his black trousers were 
dotted with spots and stains. 

Nor was his method of introduction any 
more pleasing. When he sighted Mr. Comet 
and Stella, he halted suddenly, thrust one 
foot far out in advance of the other, assumed 


54 


MR. MARS TALKS ABOUT FOOTBALL 
a half crouching position, and with gruff 
voice called out : I ’m Mars, the champion. 
Throw down your hat, take off your coat, 
and I ’ll fight a few rounds with you.” 

«You are mistaken,” responded Mr. 
Comet. Stella noted that he was on his 
dignity, and that he used choicer language 
than when he chatted with her. “ I am not 
desirous of a combat or contest of any kind. 
Perhaps you do not recognize me. I am 
Mr. Comet, and this ” — pointing to his 
little companion — ‘‘is my friend. Miss Stella, 
from the earth. We were about to pay you 
a visit, when we saw you approaching.” 

“ So you are Mr. Comet,” said Mars, shad- 
ing his eyes with his hand. “ My arms are 
stronger than ever, but my eyes bother me some 
at long range. Of course you don’t dare to 
fight me. I ’m a fighter myself, but I don’t 
expect every one to follow the same line. 
Every star to his trade ; that ’s my motto.” 

55 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

Mars made a motion as though to resume 
his run, when a new thought seemed to occur 
to him. Turning to Stella, he inquired, If 
you object to fighting, as I suppose most 
girls do, why were you watching that one 
out back of the school-house last fall ? ” 

I did n’t watch any fight,” replied Stella, 
somewhat puzzled. 

« Don’t deny it ; I saw you there,” insisted 
Mars. 

‘‘ But I was n’t near any fight,” rejoined 
Stella, decidedly. You must be mistaken. 
We play games on the field back of 
school.” 

Mistaken ! ” cried Mars. « Not much ! 
I saw you and a lot of other girls, plainly, 
with these two eyes. It wasn’t any game; 
though it was n’t like any fight I have seen 
before, either. The biggest, roughest, mean- 
est, most dangerous slugging match I ever 
looked at — that ’s what it was. And I ’ve 
56 


MR. MARS TALKS ABOUT FOOTBALL 
been at many a bout. Seemed to be ten 
or eleven men on a side to start ^vith, but 
after they got warmed up, there were no 
sides. 

There was a referee, — a short, fat man 
in a sweater, — who pulled them apart in the 
clinches ; and a time-keeper, — a tall, slim 
fellow in a black jersey, who blew his whistle 
at the end of every round. How they did 
go it! Don’t you have any rules down your 
way ? I would n’t object to taking on two 
or three men at a time, but not twenty or 
more — and each one scrapping all the rest. 
They hammered and pounded and mauled 
each other; they rolled and tumbled and 
wrestled; they bit, hit, kicked, gouged, and 
pulled hair: and you call that ‘play’!” 

“ But you don’t understand,” cried Stella. 
“That was only a football — ” 

“ Don’t understand ! ” interrupted Mars, 
his red hair bristling with indignation. “ I 
57 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
do understand. That’s just the trouble; 
and you were there, yelling with pleasure. 
I saw you and heard you. 

‘^Now let me tell you the worst,” he con- 
tinued. ‘^Near the end of the last round 
one little chap got tired and afraid. I don’t 
like to see a fellow run, but it ’s wise when 
he ’s under-weight, out-classed, and twenty 
big boys all trying to beat him. So this tiny 
lad cut for the gate, clear across on the other 
side of the ring. All the others chased after 
him. Just as I thought he was getting off, 
he fell, right between two posts; then they 
all jumped on him and piled up on him, 
high as a barn. When they got up, there 
he lay, limp and white.” 

Mr. Mars paused. Poor little boy ! ” he 
whispered, a note of tenderness in his voice. 

Did he die ?” Then, sternly ; ‘‘ And you 
stood up and yelled with delight, waving a 
stick with long yellow ribbons on it. I ’m 

58 


MR. MARS TALKS ABOUT FOOTBALL 

ashamed of you. Am I not right, Mr. 
Comet ? ” 

‘^You certainly describe a terrible struggle, 
which I myself partially witnessed,” replied 
he ; but from this distance I do not wish 
to pronounce on the right or the wrong 
of it.” 

Oh, dear ! ” cried Stella. ‘‘ Won’t you 
both let me explain ? It was the football 
game between our school and South High. 
There was no harm in it at all. Last year 
they beat us, and this time we just had to 
get even. Towards the end of the last half, 
with three minutes more to play, the score 
was six to five in their favor. Then little 
‘ Sandy,’ our quarter-back, who weighs less 
than a hundred, grabbed the ball on a fum- 
ble on our ten-yard line and sprinted clear 
across the field for a touchdown. Of course 
they fell on him some, and he had a rib hurt ; 
but he won for us, and he ’d have been 


59 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 


happy if they ’d killed him. Did n’t I shout, 
though ! I feel like it right now.” 

Stella’s face shone with her enthusiasm; but 
Mr. Comet only nodded his head thought- 
fully. Mr. Mars still seemed unconvinced. 

‘‘ You may call it playing,” said he, but 
that doesn’t make it playing. A thing’s 
what it is, not what it ’s called. But I ’ll 
not lay it up against you ; and I must be 
going. I ’m looking for Jupiter; ” and ofF he 
trotted. 

Here Stella commenced to feel a little 
queer. Both Mr. Comet and Mr. Mars 
acted as though they were not entirely in 
sympathy with her; and talking of the foot- 
ball game had reminded her of home, which 
now seemed so far away. 

Mr. Comet, perceiving this, patted her 
head, and said kindly, What ’s the matter, 
little girl? Not homesick already?” 

‘‘ Not exactly homesick,” said Stella; but 
6o 


MR. MARS TALKS ABOUT FOOTBALL 
I was thinking of father and mother, and 
wondering if anything would happen to 
them while I ’m gone.” 

Never fear, my child,” Mr. Comet mur- 
mured softly; “on earth things may take 
place which you do not understand, but no 
real harm comes to any deserving home while 
God’s twinkling stars watch over it.” 

Something in his face and voice, as well as 
in his words, cheered Stella ; again she felt 
happy and secure. 


6i 


Chapter IV 

THE BOWMAN AND THE HALF-BULL 

M r. comet now carefully placed 
upon his head the tall, white hat 
which, while talking with Mars, he 
had carried in his hand. Then he motioned 
to Stella, and together they walked slowly 
in the opposite direction from the one Mars 
had taken. After them sauntered the dog- 
star, his wrinkled forehead giving him the 
appearance of some venerable sage who 
might be pondering questions of vital im- 
portance to the welfare of the universe. 

For some time they went along in silence. 
Stella continued to be filled with amazement 
at the ever-changing glories of the sky. It 
suited her exactly to be quiet for a while. 
As seen from the earth, the heavens at night 
always had made her subdued and dreamy. 
62 


THE BOWMAN AND THE HALF-BULL 
A feeling akin to this came over her now, 
as she looked up towards the black vault 
wherein, somewhere, floated the earth, — 
her home. 

Mr. Comet, too, was deep in thought; and 
the harder he thought, the more rapidly he 
stepped. As he held Stella’s hand grasped 
firmly in his, she could not fall behind, and 
the effort to keep up began to be more than 
she could endure with comfort. Each in- 
stant his speed increased, until at last her 
feet scarcely touched the ground ; and Sirius 
was compelled to change his trot into a long, 
swinging lope. 

Mercy,” thought Stella ; I do believe 
he thinks he’s back in his orbit again! First 
thing I know he ’ll be going a million miles 
a minute, and dragging me along behind 
him so fast that my clothes will catch fire. 
If I don’t wake him up, I ’ll soon be just a 
comet’s tail, and that ’s all.” 

63 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
Mr. Comet gave an extra tug, and Stella, 
affrighted, called out shrilly, « Please, sir, 
don’t you know that I ’m here, and that 
you’re almost pulling my arm off?” 

Bless me ! ” cried Mr. Comet, instantly 
slackening his pace ; « I ’d forgotten all 

about you. I was thinking of something 
else entirely. You must forgive an old 
man. I ’ll not let it happen again.” 

« I know where your thoughts were,” said 
Stella, as they proceeded at a more respect- 
able gait. 

Where ? ” asked Mr. Comet, with a 
shamefaced look, like a boy caught whisper- 
ing in school. 

“ Scooting around in your orbit again. 
You forgot you ’re on a strike.” 

‘^No, indeed. I wasn’t in my orbit at 
all.” 

What was it then ? Where were you ? ” 
«I don’t think I’d better tell. You’d 
64 


THE BOWMAN AND THE HALF-BULL 
laugh at me, and I ’m an old man who 
hates to have folks poke fun at him.” 

<< Please tell ! ” persisted Stella. ‘‘ I ’ll not 
tease you the least little bit. Cross my 
heart ! ” 

Well, I was playing football! Now 
grin, if you dare. You see, while I don’t 
know much about it, I ’ve noticed that the 
boys pick up the ball, and run with it every 
time they can. I ’d just grabbed it, wrapped 
it up in my tail, and was about to skip across 
the field, when you spoke. Do you suppose 
any one on your team ever could catch me ? 
There ’s nothing up here that can go faster 
than I can.” 

Stella could not help being tickled at the 
idea of a Comet running with the ball, but 
she did not dare to show it. 

Of course they ’d never tackle you. But 
it ’s too early for football now. Why don’t 
you come down to our field meet, though ? 

5 65 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
You’d win everything, from the dashes to 
the mile run.” 

« And what ’s a field meet ? Anything 
like a camp-meeting? ” inquired Mr. Comet; 
but before the question could be answered, 
Stella heard some one calling her name. 
Turning around, she beheld the Asteroid, 
swinging his cap, and coming towards them 
on the run. To her still greater surprise, she 
also descried, some distance behind him, Aqua- 
rius, making every effort to move quickly, 
and splashing water around at every jump. 

There ’s the little boy who showed me 
where you were,” said Stella to Mr. Comet, 
‘‘ and Aquarius. Let ’s wait for them.” 

Mr. Comet did not seem particularly 
pleased with the idea of having company; 
nevertheless he halted, though reluctantly. 
The dog-star, too, remembered past insults 
as he recognized the Asteroid, and, growling, 
crouched near the Comet’s feet. 


66 


THE BOWMAN AND THE HALF-BULL 
« Well, what do you want here ? ” was the 
somewhat gruff greeting of Mr. Comet. 

Now that the Asteroid actually was face 
to face with the old gentleman of whom he 
so often had made sport, he evidently was 
abashed. Without saying a word, he stood 
twirling his red cap in his hands and stub- 
bing his toes against a crack in the sky. 

Can’t you speak ? ” continued the Comet. 
He talked crossly, but Stella observed a 
twinkling in his kindly eyes. Here ’s 
Aquarius, anyway. Words usually come out 
of his mouth as regularly as the water out 
of his jar. Why are we thus honored ? ” 
The water-bearer seemed too exhausted 
to answer. He set his urn on its side on 
the ground, sat down on it, and fanned his 
face with his big hands, while he breathed 
heavily, as one who has finished a race. 

Finally he slowly gasped, << That young 
gentleman will be the death of me. He 
67 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

said he would carry my jar for me for a 
year if I could keep up with him until we 
overtook you. Then he ran off, giggling 
most impishly ; and I have almost killed 
myself trying, because it would be very con- 
soling to me to have some one perform my 
labor for even a year.” 

‘‘ Serves you right ! ” said Mr. Comet. 

Do your own work without grumbling. 
But what brings you back to me so soon ? ” 

« It is very dreary, always plodding around 
alone, and I am of the opinion that I am 
entitled to a change. The boy informs me 
that you and Stella are about to visit some of 
our neighbors, and it is my purpose to ask 
your kind permission to accompany you.” 

Granted, willingly, if Stella does not 
object. The more the merrier. But how 
about that rascal of a boy ? Is he dumb ? ” 

‘‘ Let him come, too ! ” cried Stella and 
Aquarius together. 


68 


THE BOWMAN AND THE HALF-BULL 
If you only would ! ” exclaimed the 
Asteroid. ‘‘ I ’ll be very good, and not play 
any tricks at all. See, the dog-star has for- 
given me for tying that dipper on to him.” 

True enough ; the great animal now was 
licking the boy’s hand, and wagging his 
long tail in welcome. So Mr. Comet gave 
in. 

« Come ahead, then,” he said; but none 
of your nonsense, mind you. It’s just as 
well that we should travel together. There ’s 
a fierce, white half-bull, Taurus, who ranges 
hereabouts, and he won’t be so apt to attack 
the five of us. I ’m always a little afraid of 
him myself.” 

« A white half-bull ! ” repeated Stella, in 
a whisper, to the Asteroid. He means a 
half-white bull. How funny!” 

<< I mean a white half-bull, just as I said; ” 
reiterated the Comet, whose hearing evidently 
had not suffered with his increasing years. 

69 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

Look sharp, now. We’re liable to meet 
him any moment.” 

So the procession took its way across the 
sky. Mr. Comet and Aquarius were in the 
lead; Stella and the Asteroid followed, a 
little to one side, so as not to step in the 
stream constantly pouring from the water- 
bearer’s jar; and last came Sirius, solemn as 
usual. 

Stella watched carefully for the bull so 
curiously described; meanwhile she chatted 
with her companion. 

« Asteroid is such a long name,” she re- 
marked. “ What ’s your first one ? ” 

Asteroid is the first one I ever had, 
and the last one, too. What do you 
mean ? ” 

Don’t try to be smart. Stella is my first, 
and Anstruther my last name. You must 
have a first name, too. Every one has.” 

But I have n’t. If I keep having 
70 


new 


THE BOWMAN AND THE HALF-BULL 
names all the time, I ’ll forget the first ones, 
and use only the last.” 

« How queer you are ! but I sha’n’t argue 
with you. I ’m going to call you Roidy. 
What do you think of that ? ” 

I don’t mind ; but you ’ve just given it 
to me, so it ’s my last name, instead of my 
first.” 

At this point discussion was cut off by a 
loud bellowing, which caused them all to 
stop abruptly. Looking to the left, whence 
came the noise, Stella, in astonishment, saw 
just what the Comet had talked about, — 
half of a white bull. On the summit of a 
bluff, in bold relief, stood his horns, head, 
shoulders, and front legs. The remainder 
of him was missing. His nose hung down 
till it almost touched his feet, and between 
roars, he pawed the sky, and tossed blue 
fragments upwards till they would have cov- 
ered his back, had he possessed 
71 


one. 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
« Wherever is the rest of him ? ” cried Stella. 
« There ’s no rest to him,” said Mr. Comet. 
« Did n’t I tell you ? ” 

But I should think he would bleed to 
death. Is the torn place sewed up ? ” 

‘‘ I am not advised as to that,” remarked 
Aquarius ; ‘‘ but he has been that way ever 
since I first beheld him.” 

“Well, he may grow a new hind-half 
yet,” continued Stella. “ The boys say if 
you cut a pollywog in two, it’ll grow right 
out again.” 

“ But a pollywog and a bull are entirely 
different animals,” suggested Roidy, wisely. 

During this exchange of opinions the 
bull’s actions had become even more threat- 
ening. Perhaps he was angry at the sight 
of Roidy’s red cap and sweater. The entire 
party were in doubt as to what course it 
was best to take; even the dog-star barked 
excitedly. He seemed to want to say that 
72 


THE BOWMAN AND THE HALF-BULL 
he could save them if the bull only had a 
tail he could grab between his teeth. 

While all were looking intently at the 
half-animal, there was heard from another 
direction the flopping of gigantic wings and 
the clattering of galloping hoofs. This came 
without warning, and in their nervous con- 
dition frightened them still more. 

In his fresh alarm, the Comet, with a 
click, click, took a few extra turns in his 
beloved tail. Later he confided to Stella 
that he wound it up so close it hurt him ; 
something as when you do your hair up too 
tight in curl papers, she thought. 

This racket heralded the approach of the 
most marvellous combination of man, beast, 
and bird Stella ever had imagined. The 
legs, body, and tail of a horse were sur- 
mounted by wings as of an immense eagle. 
In front, where the neck and head of a horse 
should be, there grew instead the body, 
73 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 


arms, and head of a man. With beating 
hoofs and outspread wings this creature now 
swooped down on them. In one hand he 
violently brandished a long bow, while across 
the back was strung a quiver filled with 
arrows. 

With the mad half-bull on one side, and 
this wild apparition on the other, Stella 
began to think there was no chance for 
escape. Great was her relief when her 
companions greeted the new-comer with 
evident friendliness. 

‘‘ Hello, Sagittarius ! ” called the Comet. 
« I ’m always glad to see you, and at the 
present time more so than usual.” 

‘‘It gives me pleasure to renew my 
acquaintance with you,” announced Aqua- 
rius ; “ and you arrive at a very opportune 
moment.” 

“ Thanks to both of you ! ” said Sagitta- 
rius, extending a hand to each, and at the 
74 


9 





Aquarius and Sagittarius argue about the Bull 










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THE BOWMAN AND THE HALF-BULL 
same time aiming a vicious kick at Sirius, 
who had ventured too close to his heels. 

What can I do for you ? ” 

<< Please save us from that wild bull 
over there ! ” cried Stella, interrupting them. 

He ’s going to attack us.” 

‘‘All right, little girl,” replied Sagittarius, 
for the first time becoming aware of 
Taurus, who had ceased his bellowing 
and was gazing at them reflectively. “ I ’ll 
fix him before he knows it. But let me 
have a turn at that water. I ’m thirsty as 
a horse.” 

Sagittarius, bending his head down to the 
rim of Aquarius’ jar, drank and drank, till 
Stella became astonished. 

“Won’t he ever stop?” she whispered to 
Roidy. 

“ Course he will ; but he has to fill both 
stomachs — the man’s and the horse’s. Now, 
let me ask you something. If you took him 
75 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
home to dinner would you give him beef- 
steak or baled hay ? ” 

Stella did not get a chance to answer this 
conundrum, for Sagittarius suddenly raised 
his head and called out to Roidy, Here, 
young fellow ; dash some of that water over 
my back, will you ? ” 

Roidy hesitated. Then, diffidently, he 
inquired, ‘‘ Please, sir, which back ? ” 

Did n’t you hear what I said ? My 
back ! can’t you tell a man’s back from a 
horse’s ? ” 

Roidy did not respond, but hastened to 
do as bidden. Inwardly he rebelled at the 
cross voice and looks of the man-horse, 
and resolved some time to get even. How 
could he tell which back was meant ? 

The words of Sagittarius and Roidy seemed 
to interest Aquarius, who remarked, learn- 
edly : After mature deliberation I believe 

you will realize, Sagittarius, that the lad is 
76 


THE BOWMAN AND THE HALF BULL 
not to be blamed for his question. To all 
intents and purposes, I apprehend that you 
and the horse are one. Then your back is 
his back, and his back your back. So when 
you mention < my back ’ well might one ask 
‘ which back ? ’ Conversely, if your back is 
not the horse’s back, the horse’s back is not 
your back; in which case I make bold to 
inquire, why do you drag behind you a horse 
that does not belong to you, or why does 
the horse run around with a man who does 
not belong to him ? Evidently, you would 
be liable to arrest for horse stealing, or 
the horse should be shot for man stealing. 
Wherefore, I conclude — ” 

What he concluded, however, never will 
be known. 

Here Taurus again commenced bellowing 
and pawing the sky in anger. Mr. Comet 
plainly showed his anxiety, but whether it 
was for Stella or his valued tail is hard to 


77 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

tell. At his suggestion Sagittarius prepared 
to act. Quickly he strung his bow, but while 
he was selecting an arrow, Aquarius once 
more delivered himself of an important 
idea. 

<< Wait a bit, Sagittarius,” said he, until 
Taurus comes nearer, or until you have 
approached closer to him. I have carefully 
estimated the distance, and have ascertained 
that no bow can carry that far ; nor, if that 
were possible, could any one hit so small a 
mark in so remote a place.” 

“ My stars ! ” shouted Sagittarius, waxing 
wroth. “You tell me what I can do, or 
what I can’t do ? Stick to your crockery 
tub. Man and boy, horse and colt, I ’ve 
roamed the sky and practised with bow and 
arrow since time began. I ’ll bet you I hit 
that bull with the first arrow, and that he 
does n’t wait for the second.” 

His hot speech stung Aquarius, who an- 
78 


THE BOWMAN AND THE HALF-BULL 
swered sharply. A wrangle ensued as to 
what they should wager. The water-bearer 
offered to put up his jar against the bow and 
arrows of Sagittarius. The latter retorted 
sarcastically that he would not take the old 
bucket as a gift. They might have come to 
blows had not Mr. Comet suggested a plan 
which was agreed upon. If Sagittarius, with 
his first arrow, hit the bull and drove him 
away, Aquarius was to accompany him for 
a year, so that he always would have fresh 
water near by; if, on the other hand, Sagit- 
tarius failed, he was to carry Aquarius on 
his back — or rather, on the horse’s back — 
for a similar period, so the latter would have 
a change from walking. 

When these terms were settled definitely, 
Sagittarius stepped forward a few paces and 
prepared for the test. It was high time, too, 
for it could be seen that Taurus was on the 
point of charging them ; but Stella, Mr. 

79 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
Comet, Roidy, and even Sirius, in their 
interest in the wager, forgot the danger 
entirely. 

Sagittarius now left nothing to chance. 
First he plucked a feather from one of his 
wings and tossed it in the air, so he might 
judge the wind ; then he shaded his eyes 
with his hand, and, as if calculating the 
distance, gazed long at the mark ; finally, 
with his four legs spread apart, his wings 
half raised, his tail nervously switching from 
side to side, his breast extended, he bent the 
bow till the arrow-head rested on his hand. 
For an instant thus he remained, motionless 
as a statue ; and during this instant Taurus, 
who had been facing them, turned sideways 
and took one step forward. 

The bowman had not time to alter his 
aim. Whang ! went the bow and off sped 
the arrow. Stella, wildly excited, saw that 
it missed the half-bull, but pierced what 
8o 


THE BOWMAN AND THE HALF-BULL 
would have been a portion of his side had 
he been a complete beast. Nevertheless, 
exactly as if wounded, Taurus gave a final 
bellow of wrath and fear combined^ and 
hopped out of sight over the hill. 

<< A hit ! ” yelled Sagittarius ; A miss ! ” 
cried Aquarius, both in the same breath. 
Then took place a frantic argument, like 
none which Stella ever had heard. She 
could catch only brief sentences here and 
there. 

«You never touched him. I’ll leave it 
to Mr. Comet.” 

‘‘ I hit what would have been the vital 
spot if he ’d all been there. Mr. Comet 
saw that himself.” 

The mark was Taurus, a half-bull. 
You missed him.” 

<< I shot at a bull. When a hunter sees 
part of his game he knows where the rest 
is. It’s not my fault that animal ends in 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
the middle. A man who bets about a bull 
and tries to crawl out of it by setting up 
half a bull, is no sport.” 

‘‘A man who bets he can hit Taurus, a 
half-bull, and claims to win, though he 
missed him a foot, is no gentleman.” 

If you say another word I ’ll kick that 
earthen jar of yours all to pieces.” 

Approach one step nearer and I will 
reduce it to fragments over your head.” 

While waged this war of words Stella 
edged over towards Mr. Comet, Roidy 
danced up and down, swinging his cap and 
shouting, Fight ! Fight!” and Sirius, yelp- 
ing wildly, circled around them all. 

It was time for Mr. Comet to act the 
part of peacemaker. Stepping between the 
disputants, he motioned them apart. Be 
calm, gentlemen,” he counselled. “ There 
is a misunderstanding here, but no one is 
to blame. Sagittarius did not hit Taurus, 
82 


THE BOWMAN AND THE HALF-BULL 
as I am sure he will admit; but he made a 
fine shot, which would have pierced a 
whole bull, as Aquarius well knows. And 
what is more to the point, Taurus has 
disappeared, just as if he were wounded. 
So let ’s say no more about the bet, and 
thank the archer for his kindness in deliv- 
ering us from danger. You must not 
ruin the reputation of all the stars by 
striking each other right before our little 
earth-friend.” 

‘‘Yes, please behave,” Stella pleaded; but 
Roidy looked disappointed. As he told 
Stella later, it would have been a dandy 
scrap if Mr. Comet had not interfered. 

At the end of the Comet’s speech the 
water-bearer and the bowman stopped talk- 
ing, but each looked at the other defiantly, 
as though he himself would not be the first 
to make friendly advances. Finally, how- 
ever, they shook hands very formally. Then 
83 ' 


STELLA^S ADVENTURES 
Sagittarius, without a word, spread his wings 
and galloped away. 

‘‘ Well, well ! ” said Mr. Comet as the party 
again commenced to stroll along ; after 
Mars, Sagittarius, and Taurus, it will rest 
my nerves to see some one of more gentle 
disposition. Widow Venus lives near here, 
and we ’ll visit her at once.” 

Stella now walked with Mr. Comet, while 
Aquarius and Roidy brought up the rear. 
As they proceeded she noticed that her com- 
panion’s spirits rose. Now and then he 
hummed a lively air. His tall hat was set 
jauntily on one side of his head ; his left 
hand rested on his hip, and his right, thrust 
behind his back, flirted his coat-tails up and 
down at every step. 

When Stella no longer could restrain her 
curiosity, she asked, ‘‘ Whatever do you feel 
so fine about ? ” 

’m thinking of Venus,” said the Comet, 
84 


THE BOWMAN AND THE HALF-BULL 

quieting down a little. Superb woman, 
that ! Beautiful, tender, loving — and they 
say she ’s rich, too. It is n’t good for man 
to live alone. I might make up to her. 
What do you say? Too old?” 

No, indeed. And we can have the 
wedding while I ’m here. Won’t that be 
grand ! ” 

Not too fast. Perhaps I better mention 
it to the water-bearer. He ’s a great hand 
to have good ideas on all kinds of subjects. 
Aquarius, my friend, I am deliberating on 
matrimony. May I ask your views on the 
subject ? ” 

« In that regard,” replied he, every man 
should be a law unto himself — beforehand. 
The woman is the law over him afterwards. 
Do as you please, if she pleases; but as for 
me, if I find it wearisome to carry my own 
burden now, how would it be were I com- 
pelled to bear those of a wife also ? ” 

85 


STELLA^S ADVENTURES 

This opinion, slowly and weightily ex- 
pressed, seemed to have a cooling effect on 
Mr. Comet’s enthusiasm. Plainly, there was 
more to the question than his simple soul 
at first had realized. 


86 


Chapter V 

A VISIT TO VENUS’ SCHOOL 

F rom Cassiopeia’s Chair the way so 
far had led across level fields. Now 
the country became more rolling, and 
the coloring darker. A line of purple hills 
drew nearer and nearer; and not far away 
rose the gem-crowned chain of mountains 
Stella had seen when first she alighted in 
star-land. 

Again the little party marched along in 
silence. Mr. Comet and Aquarius still gravely 
considered the subject of marriage; Stella, in 
her supreme happiness, twisted her head now 
in this direction, now in that, so nothing 
might escape her ; Roidy amused himself by 
dashing back and forth, as near as possible 
to the water falling from Aquarius’ urn, as 
87 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
you have seen boys on the street run after a 
sprinkling-cart; and Sirius kept his position 
behind all the rest. 

At length Mr. Comet shook his head with 
the manner of one who either has decided a 
question for good, or has resolved to defer 
it till the future. With this off his mind, 
he began to walk very slowly and to peer 
around intently. 

If I ’m not much mistaken,” said he, 
^‘Venus’ new home is in this locality. We 
ought to be able to see the top of it, or at 
least one of the spires, very soon.” 

All now kept a sharp lookout, and it 
was only a few moments before Mr. Comet 
pointed out a cluster of lights, which he 
explained marked the towers and minarets 
on the habitation they were seeking. 

As they approached, the outline of the 
entire mansion became distinctly visible ; 
and as each detail of grace, beauty, and 
88 


A VISIT TO VENUS’ SCHOOL 
grandeur grew clearer and clearer, Mr. 
Comet held up both hands in astonishment. 
A look of interest and admiration came upon 
the face of even the stolid water-bearer. 
With one accord all halted, the better to 
take in the superb sight, — a tiny park sur- 
rounded by hills, among which, with the 
mountains for a background, lovingly nestled 
the charming villa of widow Venus. 

Every once in a while, when Stella tries to 
tell me about her adventures on this won- 
drous night, she comes to a point where 
words fail her. All she can do is to gaze 
at me with her big, round eyes. Her lips 
move, but give forth no sound. Then, with 
a little sigh, she snuggles up close to me and 
says I must imagine for myself ; some things 
she cannot describe at all. This always is 
her condition when she mentions Venus’ 
home. 

As she cannot picture the house to me, 

89 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
except in a general way, you too must 
imagine it for yourselves. Of course it was 
made from blocks, quarried out of the sky, 
and the appearance was that of purest 
marble. This made light blue the prevail- 
ing color of the body of the building, but 
the darker shades of the borders and cor- 
nices formed a pleasing contrast. There 
were portions of blue, green, and white, 
mottled like onyx. The little spires and 
domes covering the roof faded at their tops 
to glittering white. The whole effect, more- 
over, was not one of awesome grandeur, but 
of comfort and cosiness as well. 

Whe-e-e-w ! ” whistled Mr. Comet, after 
he had feasted his eyes sufficiently ; that 
beats anything I ever saw. Now, Stella, 
suppose you run on ahead and see how the 
sky lies. If all ’s well, you wave your hand,, 
and we ’ll come in.” 

Stella did not object to this in the least. 

90 


A VISIT TO VENUS’ SCHOOL 
Straight towards the house she hastened, and 
soon found herself on a broad walk, which 
led to the long, wide steps before the front 
entrance. As she approached, a flock of 
milk-white doves circled around her, and a 
giant swan, also white, save for his black 
head, gravely bent his neck in a dignified 
salutation. 

Climbing up the steps, she passed between 
huge pillars, crossed a spacious porch, and 
timidly rapped upon the door. No one 
responded, although she could faintly hear 
the voice of some one singing, and strangest 
of all, the words and tune seemed those of a 
negro melody. Again and again she rapped, 
with no success; then she noticed near her 
right hand a little push-button. 

How stupid of me ! ” she said to herself. 
“ Of course they have electric bells up here. 
All our lightning comes from the sky.” Her 
push upon the button was followed, not by 
91 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 


the ringing of a bell, but by a tiny clap of 
thunder. 

Immediately the singing stopped, and soon 
the door swung inwards. Now there stood 
before Stella, instead of the lovely crea- 
ture she expected, a stout woman, her 
dress pinned up over her shoe tops, 
her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, 
and her head bound with a towel. 
Most surprising of all, her skin was 
unmistakably black. 

<< Bless your soul, honey ! ” ejaculated 
the woman, herself as much astonished 
as was Stella. What in creation are you 
doing here ? ” 

Please, ma’m,” replied Stella, if there ’s 
no one else around, I ’d like to bring Mr. 
Comet and some other friends in to call. 
They ’re waiting back a little ways till I 
find out whether it ’s all right.” 

« No callers in here just at present,” re- 

92 



A VISIT TO VENUS’ SCHOOL 
plied the woman, ‘‘ Bring ’em along soon 
as you want to. Every one and every- 
thing, big and little, — man, woman, child, 
or animal, — seem to be welcome in this 
place.” 

Stella gave one parting glance at the face 
above her, and half realized that, despite its 
hue, it was one of supreme beauty. Then 
she turned and dashed down the steps and 
along the path. Struggling for breath, she 
flung herself into Mr. Comet’s arms. 

What ’s the matter ? ” he asked, tenderly. 

If any one has been rude to you he must 
answer to me for it. Isn’t Venus at home?” 

‘‘Yes, she’s home,” gasped Stella; “but 
she’s black! You don’t want to marry a 
black woman, do you ?” 

“Black!” shouted Mr. Comet in conster- 
nation ; “ the girl ’s crazy ! Cheeks like the 
damask rose, forehead white as alabaster, lips 
like — ” 


93 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
But she is n’t that way at all ! ” again cried 
Stella. « You’ve made a horrid mistake.” 

There ’s a mistake somewhere,” mused 
the Comet. Then suddenly his face bright- 
ened. ‘‘Now I have it. You didn’t reach 
Venus at all. You must have seen Cassi- 
opeia. She ’s the only colored lady I know 
of in the whole sky. Come to think of it, 
some one did tell me she ’s gone out to 
service. Caught cold sitting all night in 
her chair, and vowed she ’d work out till 
she ’d earned money enough to build a 
house over her. What did she say ? ” 

“ She said to come along, and that no 
one else was there,” answered Stella, feeling 
much better. 

Mr. Comet now pulled down his culFs, 
smoothed out his waistcoat, and polished 
his hat and shoes with his handkerchief. 
When he had made himself ready they set 
out briskly, and soon were before the open 
94 


A VISIT TO VENUS’ SCHOOL 
door. Venus, awaiting on the threshold, 
greeted them courteously. Stella found her 
all that Mr. Comet had promised. Tall, 
slender, and stately, clad in a simple gown 
of softest gray, she reminded Stella of her 
own mother. Her face was indeed in every 
way lovely beyond compare ; but what most 
of all drew Stella to her was a womanly ten- 
derness, a motherly bearing, that went straight 
to the child’s heart, as Venus stooped and 
kissed her on the forehead. 

My very dear friends,” she said in a low, 
clear voice, truly am I glad to see you. 
Mr. Comet and you, Mr. Aquarius, are 
quite strangers. It is kind of you to visit 
me again. That must be one of the little 
Asteroid boys, of whom I am so fond ; and 
this, Stella, the earth-child, of whose com- 
ing I have been told. And I see you have 
brought that magnificent Sirius, too. Come 
right in, all of you.” 


95 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 


<< Not if I stay here ! ” called out an em- 
phatic voice, w^hich proceeded from the lips 
of Cassiopeia, who now, in a warlike atti- 
tude, took her stand right across the door- 
way. ‘‘ Not all of ’em. Comet and Stella 
are all right; and Roidy, too, if he’ll scrape 
the sky olF from his feet. But I won’t have 
that dog tracking all over my clean floors, or 
Aquarius slopping water around. Keep that 
dog out if you don’t want him hurt ; and 
you, Aquarius, stand out in the yard. You’ll 
make a fine fountain ! After a while you 
might come around to the kitchen and pour 
while I scrub the floor.” 

« I ’m very sorry, Aquarius,” said Venus, 
meekly ; « but perhaps you better do as she 
requests, and take Sirius with you. My 
doves, and Cygnus, my swan, can bathe 
under you. Then it will be so nice if you 
will not mind going into the kitchen while 
Cassiopeia cleans it.” 

96 


A VISIT TO VENUS’ SCHOOL 

Patient as ever, Aquarius, accompanied by 
the dog-star, stalked down the steps. 

I hate to ask it of him,” said Venus to 
Mr. Comet; “but you know maids must be 
humored these days. This servant question 
is such a grave one. They pack up and 
leave for the slightest cause. I have been 
housekeeping only five hundred years, and 
Cassiopeia is the third I have had. Would 
you believe it ? ” 

With this remark, Venus took Mr. Comet’s 
arm, and smiling to the children, ushered 
them down the long hall. As they reached 
the base of a broad, winding stairway, Stella 
overheard Mr. Comet say in a half-whisper, 
“ Dear Venus, suppose we let Stella and 
Roidy amuse themselves. They can do no 
harm. Then you and I can have a chat, 
all alone, on the sofa in the parlor.” 

“Why, Mr. Comet,” was Venus’ response, 
“ do you not know this is boys’-club day ? 

7 97 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
The scholars are upstairs now, waiting for 
me. I thought you had come to visit, and 
perhaps to make a little speech to us.” 

The Comet had not intended to drop in 
on any school; but Venus, as she spoke, 
beamed on him charmingly. How could 
he refuse ? So he mumbled something 
about great pleasure,” though inwardly he 
was anything but delighted at the turn of 
affairs. 

^‘You see,” explained Venus, as they made 
their way upstairs, we call this a boy’s club, 
but it really is a school. I have become 
much interested in child study and training. 
The instruction ordinarily given is very nar- 
row. So I have some twenty young Nebulae 
come here every evening, and we study to- 
gether whatever takes our fancy. Often we 
amuse ourselves with history or biography, 
but this week our subject is earthology. It 
would surprise Stella to find out how much 
98 


A VISIT TO VENUS’ SCHOOL 
our savants here have learned about earth 
ways and customs.” 

When they entered the schoolroom Stella 
was given a chair on the platform, between 
similar ones occupied by the Comet and 
Roidy. While Venus arranged some books 
and papers on her desk, Stella had time to 
look about her. The scene was not an un- 
familiar one. There was the usual black- 
board on three sides, and the desks, seats, 
chalk, pointers, and other furnishings seemed 
quite natural. 

The Nebulae, who already were in their 
places, presented a strange appearance. The 
clothing of every one was yellow and white ; 
their hair also was yellow, and very long and 
fluffy ; and their hands and faces seemed 
semi-transparent. In fact they looked as 
though, were they not weighted down by 
their clothes, they would float away like 
thistle-down. LOFC. 

99 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

Venus now took a position on the floor, 
between her desk and the front row of seats, 
and in a conversational tone addressed her 
pupils. 

« I am glad to have you here, bright and 
early. You see, we have three visitors. Of 
Mr. Comet you have heard. The little 
Asteroid some of you know. We must try 
and persuade him to enter our club. (Here 
Roidy winked at Stella so comically that she 
almost snickered out loud.) Then we are 
honored by the presence of an earth-child, 
Stella, whom we all are exceedingly glad to 
meet. We must show her how much we 
have learned about her home.” 

As it is Saturday,” continued Venus, 
we will first have a brief review. What 
have we been studying the past week ? All 
together, please.” 

“ Bees.” 

« Very good. And what are these bees?” 


lOO 


A VISIT TO VENUS’ SCHOOL 
Earth animals.” 

‘‘ Good again. How do we learn about 
them ? ” 

For a few moments there was complete 
silence. Then a shrill voice cried out; 
<< From dirty bits of paper.” 

Here Venus turned to her visitors. Per- 
haps you have heard, Mr. Comet, of the 
wonderful success attending the explorations 
of Father Neptune, who with his trident is 
digging along the banks of the Milky Way 
and in the adjacent caves. The papers he 
digs up must have been borne by the wind 
from the earth to the sky, and have floated 
down the stream. They are so soiled by the 
milk and torn by the winds that only a few 
words here and there can be read; but, you 
know, from just a word or two our scientists 
can deduce valuable facts.” Then, going 
back to her pupils, she asked, Now, who will 
name one kind of bee we have investigated?” 


lOI 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

A dozen hands waved excitedly in the 
air. 

« Number 13, you may answer.” 

« Husk-bees.” 

Nearly right. Husking-bee is better. 
What does the husking-bee do ? ” 

‘‘ Works in the fields.” 

<<Very well; now let some one name 
another kind. You may try, Number 7.” 

« Sewing-bee.” 

“ Correct. We see that these useful ani- 
mals are trained to work in the house as 
well as outside. They must make the tasks 
of the earth-children much lighter. Doubt- 
less our little visitor has a pet sewing-bee to 
help her with her work.” 

At this remark, Stella half rose to her 
feet to make explanation, but Mr. Comet 
restrained her. 

Ouch ! ” came a sudden and unexpected 
cry. All the Nebulae twisted around to 


102 


A VISIT TO VENUS’ SCHOOL 

see what was going on. Near the back 
of the room, in the midst of this con- 
fusion, one little fellow had arisen in the 
middle of the aisle, opposite his seat. On 
his face was a look of pain and bewilder- 
ment, and one hand was thrust behind 
his back. 

<< Number 3, what are you on your feet 
for?” called Venus, sternly. «And why did 
you make that noise ? ” 

Some one pinched me ; an’ it hurt.” 

For an instant Venus looked back towards 
the visitors, and apologized for the disturb- 
ance; while she was doing so. Number 2, 
who sat directly behind Number 3, reached 
over into the seat of the latter, drew there- 
from some wriggling object, and before Venus 
could see him, quickly concealed it in his 
coat pocket. 

Venus pursued her investigation. Num- 
ber 3, who pinched you ? ” 

103 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

‘‘ Don’t know.” 

“Sit down. Who pinched Number 3?” 
No answer. 

“ Number 2, did you do it ? ” 

“ No, m’m.” 

“ Do you know who did it ? ” 

“ Did n’t see anybody.” 

“ Come here.” 

Number 2 shuffled down the aisle. His 
hands were thrust into the pockets of his 
trousers, while his drooping head suggested 
a guilty conscience. 

“ What have you in your pocket ? ” 

“ Hands.” 

“ What else ? ” 

“ Handkerchief.” 

“Take it out,” 

Slowly, inch by inch, the handkerchief 
was pulled forth. Attached by one long, 
vicious claw to the last corner, there hung 
suspended a writhing, twisting animal, like 

104 



Vems^s School 


I 



A VISIT TO VENUS’ SCHOOL 
a lobster or mammoth crawfish. The cul- 
prit had been brought to light. 

Why did you bring that crab, Cancer, 
to school ? ” asked Venus, severely. 

He looked so lonesome out there on 
the sky ; an’ I like him.” 

‘‘Why did you let him pinch Number 3 ? ” 

“ Did n’t let him. Put him on my desk 
so he could get some fresh air, an’ forgot all 
about him. Must ’ve fallen over the back, 
an’ Number 3 sat on him. Was n’t my 
fault.” 

“ Well, you take Cancer and put him 
where he belongs. Then you go right 
home ; and do not come back unless you 
bring a note from your father, and a promise 
to behave. Now march I ” And Num- 
ber 2, stuffing the crab into his pocket, 
marched. 

This interruption did not seem to ruffle 
Venus’ temper. Her voice remained low 
105 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
and sweet, though firm. But the Nebulae 
clearly were excited and not in a mood for 
their lesson. She at once realized this, and 
prepared to dismiss them. 

« All of you be quiet for just a moment, 
and we will close for the night,” she said. 
‘‘You can come again next week. Then 
we hope every one will be good and make 
no trouble. Our topic to-day was to have 
been the ‘ quilting-bee.’ That must go 
over till next time, and we will take up 
the ‘ pig-pen ’ also. 

“You must remember,” she concluded, 
“ that one purpose of my work is to teach 
you to investigate for yourselves. Then 
some day you, too, can make interesting 
discoveries. So think all you can about 
the pig-pen. Have earth-people taught pigs 
to write with a pen, just as bees have been 
trained to husk and to sew ? Carry your 
little note-books with you, and jot down 
106 


A VISIT TO VENUS* SCHOOL 
your ideas as they come to you. Now 

you are dismissed, and be good little 
Nebulae.” 

As the scholars passed out, single 
file, Venus remarked to Stella; ‘‘Are you 
not surprised that we can collect so many 
facts from so few words ? Is it not won- 
derful ? ” 

“ I am surprised,” assented Stella, “ but, 
don’t you know, you are all wrong. Husk- 
ing- and sewing- and quilting-bees are n’t 
animals, and a pig-pen — ” 

“You need not argue with me,” inter- 
rupted Venus, as Stella commenced to pro- 
test. “You must let your elders decide 
these points. Now, my dear Mr. Comet, 
I really am a little exhausted. Perhaps it 
would soothe me to visit with you in the 
parlor, as you suggested.” 

So Stella kept her peace. But deep down 
in her heart, she pondered. Could it be 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

possible that some of the things she had 
been taught about people and animals exist- 
ing thousands of years ago were as far wrong 
as was Venus’ idea of the bees and the 
pig-pen ? 


io8 


Chapter VI 

MERCURY, THE MESSENGER BOY 

T he unexpected admission of Venus 
that she would enjoy a private chat 
in the parlor delighted Mr. Comet 
beyond all bounds. He tried to restrain 
himself, but plainly it was hard work. With 
a courtly bow he offered her his arm; with 
all the grace of one who dances the old-time 
minuet he escorted her out of the room, 
down the stairs, and along the hall ; and 
standing to one side, again he bowed pro- 
foundly, as she preceded him into the 
drawing-room. The children were neither 
requested nor forbidden to follow. They 
were overlooked entirely. 

Let ’s go see what Aquarius ’s doing,” 
suggested Roidy. ‘‘ He must be in the 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
yard somewhere. Let ’s skip out the back 
way.” 

This suited Stella; but as they reached 
the rear of the building, Cassiopeia stopped 
them. 

“ Suppose you ’ll be up this way again, 
before long ? ” she inquired of Stella. 

“ Oh ! I hope so. I ’m having a perfectly 
grand time, and I ’m coming back to-morrow 
night if I can.” 

“Well, I’ll tell you what you do. You 
just bring me one of those woman’s clubs I 
hear Venus talking about so much.” 

“ A woman’s club ? ” 

“Yes, indeed; Venus says they are all 
the rage on the earth. I ’d like one with 
a silver handle, to match my chair ; but I ’m 
not very particular as long as it ’s good and 
stout. It’s getting so a lone woman up 
here ought to carry something with which to 
protect herself. There ’s that old Cepheus, 


I lO 


MERCURY, THE MESSENGER BOY 
who almost pesters the life out of me. 
Used to hang about my chair all the time. 
Now, last night I caught him sneaking 
around here. You get me the club and 
then I ’ll be safe.” 

‘‘ But woman’s clubs are not clubs ! ” 
shouted Stella, as soon as she had a chance 
to put in a word, and ignoring the question 
about Cepheus. 

‘‘ Call it a stick, then, — cane, bat, spear, 
pole; name it anything you please, if I can 
whack or poke with it. If you don’t bring 
that club next time you can’t get into the 
house, and that’s settled.” 

With this parting shot Cassiopeia rushed 
into an adjoining room, and slammed the 
door behind her. Stella did not care much. 
Gradually she was becoming used to these 
queer people, who knew more concerning 
the earth than she did. 

Meanwhile Roidy, some distance away, 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
had been waiting impatiently. Now he 

beckoned to Stella, and she started in his 
direction. Before she could reach him, 
however, a slight thunder-clap echoed from 
wall to wall. 

“ There ’s some one else come to visit,” 
she called out. “ I ’m going to see who it 
is ; ” and back along the hall she ran, with 
Roidy close behind her. 

As they approached the front entrance 
Venus emerged from the drawing-room. 
After her walked Mr. Comet. It could 
be seen at a glance that he, at least, did 
not relish this interference. His face was 
scowled and puckered, as though he had 
just bitten into a sour lemon. 

When Venus had opened the door Stella 
saw something that startled her. For an 
instant she thought a telegram had come 
from her father ; for there on the porch 
stood a fellow looking exactly like a mes~ 


MERCURY, THE MESSENGER BOY 

senger boy. He was clad in a dark blue 
uniform, decorated with narrow red braid. 
Over one ear there hung the regulation cap, 
with square visor. His shoes were run down 
at the heels, and his clothes were much the 
worse for wear. Still his freckled and good- 
natured face, and his roguish eyes, made him 
attractive rather than otherwise. 

Why, you must be Mercury, Jupiter’s 
messenger,” said Venus as soon as she set 
eyes on the boy. 

‘‘Yes ’m,” he replied, holding an envelope 
towards her. “ I ’ve brought a note for you, 
and the boss says I ’m to wait for an answer.” 

Venus glanced over the letter with evident 
pleasure. Mr. Comet looked on with just 
as evident displeasure. Poor man ! Was it 
not too bad that he should be interrupted, 
and by his most bitter rival, when he was 
on the very point of asking the delicate 
question ? 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
But Venus, after she had finished reading, 
had no more time for Mr. Comet. It is 
from Mr. Jupiter!” she exclaimed, joyfully; 

and he wants me to go to the concert 
with him. The Pleiades Sisters are to sing. 
Is n’t it dear of him ? I ’ve been dying to 
go. Mercury, tell your master ‘ yes ’ for me. 
I ’m too excited to write anything.” 

Then suddenly she became aware of Mr. 
Comet’s sorrowful visage. “ Are you ill, my 
dear friend?” she asked, anxiously. It is 
close in the parlor. The fresh air will do 
you good. I don’t suppose there was any- 
thing in particular you wanted to tell me ? 
Just some of your nonsense. Now you will 
excuse me, I am sure, for I must go and 
change my gown. Come again, all of you ; ” 
and Venus disappeared up the stairway. 

Wrathfully Mr. Comet strode out of the 
house and down the steps. Stella could 
hear him mumbling something about « fresh 


MERCURY, THE MESSENGER BOY 
air ” and “ nonsense.” She doubted whether 
or not she should follow him till he had 
cooled off ; but as he reached the yard he 
settled the matter by saying, ‘‘You and 
Roidy wait here a minute, while I find 
Aquarius. Then we may as well tramp. 
No use staying here.” 

Mr. Comet’s actions amused Mercury. 
“Old gent’s hard hit,” he chuckled. “He’s 
swell, all right ; but he can’t hold a 
candle to Jupiter. Nobody gets ahead 
of us.” 

Then Mercury took from his pocket 
an odd instrument. It apparently was 
made from a strip of tortoise shell bent 
into a half-circle, with strings drawn 
tightly from side to side. This he 
placed against his lips, like a jew’s- 
harp, and quickly produced a rollicking tune, 
to which he danced a most intricate double 
shuffle. When he had relieved his feelings 



STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
in this manner, he sat down, leaned against one 
of the pillars, jerked his cap over his eyes, 
and proceeded to read a thumb-worn nickel 
library, which he pulled from another pocket. 

What ’s that you were playing on ? ” 
asked Roidy. 

My lyre. Think it ’s a drum ? ” 

<< Let me try it ? ” 

^^Not much! You’d bust it.” 

“What you reading?” 

“‘Nebula Number Ninety; or the Nim- 
rod of the North.’” 

“Any good ? ” 

“You bet ! ” 

“ Let me read it ? ” 

“Naw! You’re too young.” 

These rebuffs were a little too much for 
Roidy, and he clenched his fists threaten- 
ingly ; but Mr. Comet’s voice, urging them 
to come on, now made itself heard. 

“Wait till I catch you alone!” growled 


MERCURY, THE MESSENGER BOY 

Roidy ; and with this final threat, to which 
Mercury deigned no response, he and Stella 
ran around the house. 

In the back-yard they found Mr. Comet 
and the water-bearer in conversation over a 
curious beast with the front half of a goat 
and the hind half of a fish. 

This must be Capricorn,” Aquarius was 
saying; a most uncommon and outlandish 
combination. I have seen pictures of him, 
but never before have I had a chance to 
examine him. He is very gentle, and seems 
to be enjoying himself. First he took a 
good drink for his head-quarters, and now 
he is giving his hind-quarters a swim. It 
would afford me great satisfaction to carry 
him with me, so that I might study him 
further.” Sirius, meanwhile, was standing 
near-by, and barking furiously. Clearly, he 
was willing to fight a goat, but the fish part 
was beyond his understanding. 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
‘‘ Bring him along if you want to/’ said 
Mr. Comet. ‘‘ It is high time we were 
going.” 

Roidy and Stella started at once, but 
Aquarius made no move. 

What is the matter?” questioned Mr. 
Comet. “ Are you tired of our company ? ” 
Aquarius acted as though at loss how to 
reply. Awkwardly he stood, first on one 
foot and then on the other. At length he 
plucked up courage, and remarked boldly : 
“ Your companionship is most agreeable, 
and it is with reluctance that I deprive my- 
self of it, even for the time being. Between 
friends the truth always should be spoken. 
Some time back I discoursed adversely on 
the question of matrimony. Then my views 
were based entirely on theory. Since I have 
come in contact with the bewitching Cassi- 
opeia I am inclined to change my mind. 
Not only is she a being of great intellect, 


MERCURY, THE MESSENGER BOY 

comely features, and lovable disposition, but 
she already has amassed a tidy sum. Soon 
we shall be able to erect a comfortable home 
over her silver chair. What the future has 
in store for him no man knows; but it is 
fitting that I should remain here and con- 
verse again with her.” 

“ Well, I declare ! ” cried Mr. Comet ; 
‘‘ you ought to have learned from the expe- 
riences of others.” 

That you have been unsuccessful in your 
wooing,” resumed Aquarius, ‘‘ which from 
your countenance I judge to be the case, 
does not necessarily augur that a similar fate 
awaits me. Yet, what will be, will be. 
Fare you well, one and all. Sometime we 
shall meet again.” 

The failure of his love affair at first had a 
gloomy effect on Mr. Comet; but after a 
few moments he gained control of himself 
and turned his attention to his little com- 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 


rades. Grasping Stella’s arm with one hand, 
and Roidy’s with the other, he stepped along 
quite spryly. Soon the three were laughing 
and talking at the same time, and as gayly 
as though there were not a care in all the 
sky. 

When they had left Venus’ villa far behind, 
the path they were following suddenly merged 
into a hard, well-travelled highway, which 
extended, straight as an arrow, as far as the 
eye could see. This, Mr. Comet said, was 
the air-line across the sky from north to 
south. By following it they would come 
to the best ford across the Milky Way. He 
suggested that they push on to the ford at 
once, unless Stella would like to wait and 
rest a bit. 

Stella insisted that she was not tired at all ; 
but event had followed event so rapidly that 
her head was in a whirl, and she thought it 
would be a good idea to stop and be quiet 


120 


MERCURY, THE MESSENGER BOY 
for a while. So, in a little hollow by the 
roadside, protected from the wind, the three 
sat down in comfort. Stella leaned her head 
against Mr. Comet, who put his arm around 
her protectingly ; and Roidy, for a cushion, 
used Sirius, who stretched himself out at full 
length beside them. 

Stella does not know exactly how long 
they remained there; but it was an hour or 
more, and would have been longer had they 
not been disturbed. A shrill whistle caused 
them to look up, and there in the road 
before them was Mercury. His cap was in 
his hand, and the perspiration on his fore- 
head showed that he had been exercising 
more than usual. 

Gee ! ” he exclaimed ; « the boss ’s in a 
big rush, and I had to run. Say, Mr. Comet, 
Jupiter ’s busted his belt, and wants to borrow 
your ’spenders.” 

By the great North Pole ! ” cried the 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 


Comet, bounding to his feet with the agility 
of an india-rubber man ; ‘‘ does your master 
intend to insult me ? ” 

Nope,” answered Mercury, not at all 
abashed. Did n’t you hear what I said ? 
Jupiter ’s broke ’s belt, and ’s hidin’ in the 
hills back of Venus’ house. Can’t go in till 
he gets fixed, and has n’t time to send back 
home for another. Said you ’d lend him 
your ’spenders. You aren’t goin’ into so- 
ciety, and can get along somehow.” 

Mr. Comet drew himself up with great 
dignity. Make known to your master,” 
said he, that, while I have no social en- 
gagement for this evening, I always am 
extremely careful of my personal appear- 
ance. Inform him also, please, that I am 
journeying without luggage, and have with 
me no wearing apparel aside from what is 
necessary for my own requirements.” 

Hey, Commy ! ” gasped Mercury; «you 


122 


MERCURY, THE MESSENGER BOY 
don’t ’spect me to use all those long words, 
do you ? If you do, write ’em down ; or 
I ’ll just tell him you need all your ’spen- 
ders yourself. How’s that?” 

“You have the correct idea,” said Mr. 
Comet. “ The precise words are immaterial 
to me. Now you will please submit us to 
no further annoyance.” 

Then he turned his back on Mercury, 
who, mopping his brow, hesitated, as though 
much perplexed. He hated to return empty- 
handed. 

Here a bright idea occurred to Stella. 
Reaching down into her pocket, she found 
a package of safety-pins she had used when 
she had helped to dress her baby brother 
that morning. These were just the thing. 
Running up to Mercury, she handed them 
to him, saying, “You just take these to 
Jupiter. I don’t need them, and we’ve 
plenty more, home. You can pin his belt 
123 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
together in the back, so Venus won’t ever 
know it.” 

Mercury’s face cleared instantly. ‘‘ Thanks, 
awfully ! ” he said. ‘‘ I was ’fraid to go back 
with nothin’ ; ” and with a parting grin he 
dashed away. 

The country through which they now were 
passing presented no new features. The hills 
and mountains, on one side, towered in all 
their glory, and on the other was the ever- 
present level blue. Stella says that in all 
her journey, she never grew weary of gazing 
at the beautiful colors, but she thinks she 
would rather live on the earth. The sky in 
time might become monotonous. It cannot 
have the contrasts afforded by our tree-clad 
hills and cultivated fields, or by the changing 
seasons. 

Nothing of importance happened on the 
road, and soon the party came to the bank 
of the Milky Way. The appearance of this 

124 


MERCURY, THE MESSENGER BOY 
stream was something of a disappointment 
to Stella. In the shallows along the shore, 
where the blue shone through the milk, the 
effect was quite pretty ; and the golden 
yellow of the swells and ripples in the centre 
was pleasing. But all in all, Stella is of the 
opinion it does not compare for beauty with 
some of our clear brooks and rivers. 

Now arose the query as to how Mr. Comet 
and the children were to cross ; for they de- 
sired to wander down the opposite bank, and 
see if they could not find Father Neptune, 
who was supposed to be digging there- 
abouts. Children as short as Stella and 
Roidy could not wade without danger. 
Mr. Comet could carry them over, one at 
a time, on his back; but that would ruin 
his shoes, hose, and breeches. 

Stella suggested that if they could find a 
plank large enough, or make a raft, and if 
Mr. Comet would spread his tail for a sail, 
125 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

they would be across in no time. This, she 
told them, is the way squirrels do ; but the 
idea did not seem to strike Mr. Comet 
favorably, even if there had been any boards 
around. Roidy interrupted their delibera- 
tions by calling their attention to some- 
thing making haste towards them along 
the highway. 

Sagittarius ! ” cried all in chorus. No 
sooner was the word spoken than again, 
with waving wing and beating hoof, there 
bore down on them the familiar form of 
the bowman, and to their surprise, clinging 
in desperation to the horse’s back, and 
bouncing up and down at every step, rode 
the water-bearer, Aquarius. 

Stella was overjoyed to see them in such 
friendly companionship, and was all eager- 
ness to find out what had occurred since 
she had parted with them. 


126 


Chapter VII 

A CHAT WITH FATHER NEPTUNE 

W HEN within a few feet of Mr. 

Comet and the others, Sagittarius 
stopped with a jerk so sudden that 
Aquarius was thrown violently against his 
back. 

What ’s the matter with you ? ” cried the 
archer. ‘‘ Is there not room enough below, 
so that you need not try to crawl up and 
ride on my shoulders ? ” 

Aquarius made no reply. It is doubtful 
if at that time he had any breath left with 
which to speak. As if in fear that Sagitta- 
rius might start up again, he instantly half 
slid and half tumbled to the ground. At 
first he swayed from side to side, but he 
braced up quickly, although for some time 

127 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

his knees wobbled under him. Stella saw 
that he looked around with a dazed expres- 
sion, and straightened out each arm and leg 
separately, to assure himself that no part of 
him had been dropped on the way. His 
urn was placed carefully on its side on the 
sky. 

After a few words of friendly greeting, 
all began to speak and to ask questions at 
once. There seemed to be a contest be- 
tween Sagittarius, Stella, and Roidy, to see 
who could talk the loudest and fastest. 
Aquarius, too, though with some difficulty, 
managed to emit a few long words ; and 
\ Sirius improved the opportunity to show off 
his finest assortment of yelps and howls. 

Peace ! peace ! ” cried Mr. Comet. « Be 
quiet, all of you. Every one wishes to hear 
from every one else, but we must go about 
it in a proper manner. Now that I have 
called the meeting to order, I shall continue 
128 


A CHAT WITH FATHER NEPTUNE 
to preside, unless some one objects, and shall 
summon you in turn to recount whatever 
may be of interest to us. As there is no 
protest,” he continued, ‘<we will first hear 
from Sagittarius.” 

‘‘You all remember,” commenced the 
archer, “ that I left you somewhat in a huff 
because my arrow seemed to have hit only 
that part of Taurus which he does not carry 
around with him. Well, it kept running 
through my head all the time that Taurus, 
when he departed after my shot, bellowed 
and limped like one in pain. How could 
this be if I had missed him entirely ? An 
arrow flies swiftly. Could we all have been 
mistaken ? 

“To satisfy myself on this point, I trotted 
over the hill and took up the trail. No 
tvace of blood could be found; but to an 
experienced hunter like myself the signs 
were those of an animal sorely wounded. 

9 129 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 


The tracks led into a little gully not far 
away. I stole noiselessly up to the edge, 
and cautiously peeped over. Now, what 
do you think I saw ? ” 

‘‘Taurus, stone dead!” cried Stella. 

“And with a big hole in his shoulder!” 
added Roidy. 

“Not at all!” remarked Sagittarius. 
“You both are wrong. The half-bull lay 
there before me, true enough, but he was 
not dead. He was breathing heavily, and 
groaning. Yet not a wound could I see, 
and I was close enough to count every hair. 
Then I aroused him by a shout. Up he 
rose, weakly and painfully, and off he stag- 
gered down the gully. No blood, no arrow- 
mark ; and yet I never saw an animal appear 
more grievously injured. Can any one ex- 
plain ? It’s too much for me.” 

For some time all were speechless. Then 
Stella brightened up as though she had 


A CHAT WITH FATHER NEPTUNE 
guessed the riddle. « I don’t believe I can 
tell how it happens,” she said ; “ but I know 
something just like it. My Uncle George 
lost both his legs in the war. Had them 
cut off right above his knees. That was 
ever so many years ago ; but when the 
weather is damp he still has rheumatism in 
his toes. Now, if he can suffer in the place 
where his feet would be if they were n’t 
cut off, why couldn’t Taurus be hurt in the 
place where his side would be if he had 
one ? ” 

This solution seemed satisfactory to all, 
and particularly to the archer, who was de- 
lighted to have it admitted that he really 
had damaged Taurus. 

I saw no reason to follow him,” he went 
on, so I strolled around aimlessly till I 
reached the high road. Then I thought I 
would run down to the Milky Way. My 
hoofs get cracked on this hard sky, and the 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
milk is healing to them. In a short time 
I overtook Aquarius, plodding along so wear- 
ily and woefully that I had n’t the heart to 
remain mad at him. There is nothing in 
the sky better for one’s body or spirits than 
a brisk horseback ride. I invited him up, 
and here we are. If he enjoyed himself he 
has a queer way of showing it, but he can 
speak for himself.” 

‘‘ Yes, my good Aquarius,” said Mr. 
Comet ; if you are able, tell us what has 
happened since I left you with the love- 
light in your eyes.” 

The water-bearer drew a long breath, 
which sounded suspiciously like a sigh, and 
in his usual deliberate way addressed the 
others. ‘‘It is a fact,” said he, “ that you 
left me in a happy mental condition. Of 
a truth, I was inspired by lofty ideals and 
moved by noble motives. When I told 
you of my love for Cassiopeia, I based my 
132 


A CHAT WITH FATHER NEPTUNE 
tender passion on three things, — her great 
intellect, comely features, and lovable dis- 
position. This was aside from her money, 
which I beg you to believe was a minor 
consideration. 

<< On two of these points I was right,” 
he continued. ‘‘ She is a woman of strong 
powers of mind, and, in my judgment, she 
yields to no one in appearance. But as to 
disposition I was deceived most bitterly. 
No sooner had I remarked, innocently, that 
I am getting near the period where one 
desires to settle down in a home, than she 
glared at me ferociously. Then, when I 
incidentally inquired whether she was plan- 
ning her new house so it would be big 
enough for two, she took after me with a 
butcher-knife. Had she not stumbled over 
Capricorn, who had crawled near the door, 
I actually believe I should not be alive to 
tell the tale.” 


133 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

Here Aquarius paused, and rubbed his 
hand across his troubled brow. I do not 
wish to burden you further with my trou- 
ble,” said he. That I shall soon recover 
my customary peace of mind, I doubt not, 
and in the meantime you must bear with 
me.” 

Stella now hoped they would take up 
their travels at once, as she was anxious to 
see Father Neptune. The first question 
was how to reach the other side of the 
Milky Way. Sagittarius told them to wade. 
He said it was only up to his breast. Stella 
started to ask him which breast, the man’s or 
the horse’s. Then she remembered Roidy’s 
experience, and held her tongue. 

When Mr. Comet had pointed out that 
Stella and he could not go over in this 
manner without ruining their clothes, the 
archer had another scheme. He would 
carry Mr. Comet and Stella on his horse’s 
134 


A CHAT WITH FATHER NEPTUNE 
back; Aquarius, clinging to his tail, could 
take Roidy on his shoulders, and Sirius 
could swim. This plan was adopted. 

Aquarius at first protested that he could 
not go at all, as it was impossible to stop 
the flood from his jar, and there was a law, 
with severe penalties, against watering the 
milk. But he was persuaded easily. To 
this day Stella does not know whether he 
was joking or in earnest. 

So they passed over. Don’t you wish you 
could have seen them ? Stella says it must 
have been a funny spectacle, and I agree with 
her. First went Sagittarius, his head and 
man-body extending high above the stream; 
in front, on the horse’s back, sat Mr. Comet, 
his legs crossed under him Turk fashion, and 
the long tails of his coat folded carefully 
in his lap ; behind him perched Stella, hang- 
ing on to him with one hand, and with 
the other holding her skirts up out of the 
135 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
milk; next came Aquarius, firmly grasping 
Sagittarius’ tail, while Roidy roosted on his 
shoulders like a little old man of the sea; 
and last of all swam Sirius, having more fun 
than all the rest of them put together. 

In safety all reached the opposite bank, 
where the riders dismounted. While Aqua- 
rius was rinsing the milk from his limbs and 
those of Sagittarius, the latter asked Mr. 
Comet where he intended to go next. 

Up the stream,” he replied, ‘‘till we find 
Neptune, who is digging around here some- 
where. You’ll come with us, of course?” 

“Not I!” said the archer; “Neptune 
claims to have invented the horse. Any- 
way, he ’s a great horse-fancier, and can’t 
see that I am anything more than a beast. 
I’ve heard that he’d like to hitch me up to 
a plow and make me help him. But I am 
not looking for trouble, and will leave you. 
Good-bye, all. Perhaps I shall run across 
136 


A CHAT WITH FATHER NEPTUNE 
that Lion, Leo, and if I do, I ’ll send you 
his skin later.” 

For some time now the four companions, 
with Sirius trotting near them, wandered 
along the bank of the Milky Way. When 
they came to the place where the river 
pierced the hills, the course twisted abruptly 
to the left. As they turned the bend, they 
saw that the sky was rough and broken, and 
strewn with blocks and fragments. While 
they paused to look around, the head and 
shoulders of a man unexpectedly appeared 
above the pile of chunks in front of them. 
The rest of him followed slowly, as if 
he were pulling himself up out of a hole. 
Then he drew after him what seemed to be 
a long and heavy pole, with three tines at 
one end, like a pitchfork or fish-spear. 
Stella knew at once that this must be 
Neptune. 

When he saw that he had company, he 
137 


STELLA^S ADVENTURES 
shaded his eyes with his hand for an instant, 
as does one who gazes out over the waves; 
then, with a shout of recognition, he came 
forward rapidly, and with the rolling gait 
peculiar to sea-faring men. His face, red- 
dish brown, as though tanned by the wind, 
was surrounded by a bushy, snow-white 
beard ; a blue flannel shirt and baggy 
trousers of the same color made up his 
costume; and his feet were bare. Upon 
his head there sat, grotesquely, a much bat- 
tered and dented golden crown, and in his 
right hand he carried that ridiculous three- 
pronged stick. 

There could be no doubt about the sin- 
cerity of his welcome. He grasped Mr. 
Comet’s delicate right hand in one of his 
horny paws, and the other he brought down 
with a resounding whack on the bare shoul- 
der of Aquarius. At the same time, with a 
voice that could have been heard above any 
138 



Father Neptune 












A CHAT WITH FATHER NEPTUNE 
gale that ever blew, he roared out: ‘‘Wel- 
come, my hearties ! It has been many a 
voyage since we have spun yarns together. 
Shall we stay here on the deck, or will you 
climb down into my cabin, over yonder ? ” 

“ Perhaps it will be best to stay where we 
are,” replied Mr. Comet. “Aquarius, I fear, 
will be in no condition to climb either down 
or up till he has recovered from his horse- 
back ride.” 

“ Where did you get your horse ? ” asked 
Neptune, interested at once. 

“It was Sagittarius, who in mistaken kind- 
ness carried me,” replied Aquarius. 

“Sagittarius!” sneered Neptune, disdain- 
fully. “Call him horse? You ought to 
have seen the animals that once drew my 
chariot across the briny deep 1 Hoofs of 
brass and manes of gold I They were some- 
thing like it. But Sagittarius is neither man 
nor horse. Might do to plow with, but 
139 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

never to ride. A half of one thing joined 
to a half of another makes nothing.” 

« But my arithmetic says two halves make 
a whole,” piped Roidy. 

Right enough, sonny ; but that means 
halves of the same kind. To stick different 
ones together not only makes a bad whole, 
but spoils two good halves. Now, bless me, 
if that little girl is not staring at me as 
though her eyes would pop out of her head ! 
What is the trouble ? ” 

‘‘ I was trying to think why you wear a 
crown and carry that queer stick all the 
time,” confessed Stella. 

‘‘True for you,” said Neptune. ‘‘If you 
find out, let me know. It’s a habit, that’s 
all. The crown ’s a nuisance. Falls off 
every time I bend over to dig ; and I ’ve 
worn a sore ring all around my head, put- 
ting it back on so often. Every time it 
drops it gets a new scratch or dent, till now 

140 


A CHAT WITH FATHER NEPTUNE 

it ’s such a dilapidated old can that Capri- 
corn, the goat, would n’t eat it. 

“No wonder that trident puzzles you, 
too,” he continued. “It beats me. It’s 
too long for a cane, too heavy for a fish- 
pole, and has n’t cover enough for an um- 
brella. But I ’ve lugged it around ever 
since I can remember. It’s a habit. Seems 
to run in the family. Why in time does my 
father, Saturn, always carry a sickle? Never 
cut anything in his life ; but he packs it con- 
stantly, just the same. Reckon I must be 
true to family traditions. Here am I, pok- 
ing around in the sky with a pointed stick, 
like a clam-digger, and once I ruled the 
ocean. But my labor is lightened by love. 
That makes it sweet.” 

“You must be fond of your work, indeed,” 
said Stella. 

“Fond of fiddlesticks!” roared Neptune. 
“ Do you think I root around here because 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
I like it ? These foolish scientists make me 
tired. Now I’ll tell you the secret. Venus 
and her scholars are interested in these bits 
of paper which I find, — and I love Venus. 
Seen her lately, Mr. Comet ? ” 

Now it was Mr. Comet’s turn to hide his 
countenance ; and a wan smile flitted over 
the face of Aquarius. 

‘‘What’s the matter with you two, any- 
way ? ” growled Neptune. “Can’t a fellow 
ask a question ? ” 

To smooth matters over, Stella remarked 
quickly, “ I understand how you feel about 
your work, and I know you will succeed. 
My book says, ‘ Love conquers all things.’ ” 

“Don’t quote mottoes to me,” cried Nep- 
tune. “ I followed one once and it spoiled 
my life.” 

“ That cannot be,” observed Aquarius. 
“ Mottoes are pure wisdom.” 

“Pure fol-de-rol ! ” shouted Neptune. 

142 


A CHAT WITH FATHER NEPTUNE 
Hear me now. In my young days I was 
ruler of all the ocean. You should have 
seen me, standing in my chariot, brandish- 
ing my trident, and urging on the fiery 
steeds that drew me over the waves. Even 
the storms obeyed me. You remember, 
Stella, how I made Aeolus call the wind 
back into his cave when, against my wishes, 
he was about to wreck the ships of Aeneas?” 

« I am just beginning Virgil,” she answered. 
‘‘We will come to that in a short time, I 
suppose.” 

“ Well,” resumed Neptune, “ I was not 
satisfied with all this glory and power. 
My soul thirsted for something still greater. 
One day I read the motto, ‘ Hitch your 
chariot to a star.’ That settled it. I must 
go to the sky. Seemed to me like a higher 
position, — a rise in the world, so to speak. 
Now here I am, and here I must stay. 
Long ago my coach rotted to pieces. Up 
143 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
I came; and it’s a pretty come down, isn’t 
it ? Gaze on me, will you ? Do I look 
like one who for years was monarch of the 
ocean ? ” And he wrathfully jammed his 
trident into a crack, till the tines bent 
double. 

‘‘But I think it’s very pleasant here,” 
said Stella, trying to comfort him. 

“Yes, it’s nice enough for girls, comets, 
water-bearers, asteroids, and dogs,” muttered 
Neptune. “ No offence intended,” he added 
quickly; “but I was born for a different life. 
What would n’t I give once more to sniff the 
salty breeze, and to hear the billows dash 
against my chariot’s sides.” 

“ I know where there ’s a ship up here,” 
cried Roidy, also trying to help out. 

“ The good old Argo,” said Neptune, 
sadly. “Yet her time is past. Even if it 
were not so, I would not insult her by 
launching her in a puddle of milk. Well 

144 


A CHAT WITH FATHER NEPTUNE 
do I remember when Jason proudly strode her 
deck, above a hold filled with golden fleece.” 

At these last two words Mr. Comet pricked 
up his ears curiously. «What kind of stuff 
was that ? ” he inquired. << Anything like my 
tail ? ” But Neptune did not heed him. 

There ’s no use in grumbling,” he con- 
cluded. Venus and I shall live quite 
happily together, I am sure. You’ll call 
upon us often ; you particularly, Mr. Comet. 
She frequently has told me that you remind 
her of her grandfather. What are you danc- 
ing up and down that way for ? Pin hurt 
you ? You ’re the touchiest old man I ever 
did see.” 

« I am thinking that we must be going at 
once,” replied Mr. Comet, gravely. There 
is just about time enough for us to visit the 
double cave of the Moon and Sun on the 
mountain-top.” 

‘‘Well, a safe voyage,” cried Neptune. 

lO 145 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
Do not think of me as unhappy. I shall get 
along all right. If I only could smell the salt 
sea breeze just once more, I should be content. 
Now all I get is a whifF of sour milk! At 
dawn, when the Milky Way is about dried 
up, the odor is positively sickening.” 

While he was making this last remark Mr. 
Comet and the others had recommenced their 
journey. All at once Stella heard Neptune 
calling to her to wait a minute. As he ran 
towards her, she could see that his face shone 
as if he had some bright idea, and with every 
step he smote his thigh gleefully. 

<< When you come up again,” he whispered 
in her ear, « bring me a bunch of old papers. 
I ’ll hide ’em in my cabin. Every now and 
then I ’ll tear olF a piece for these scientists. 
Won’t have to dig any more. You’ll be 
sure and do it?” 

And Stella promised she would not forget. 


146 


Chapter VIII 


JUPITER, WITH HIS THUNDERBOLT, TO THE 
RESCUE 

T he walking now was very difficult, 
and Stella was glad she had put 
on her heavy shoes. Carefully Mr. 
Comet picked his way over the uneven 
surface and around huge boulders. With 
equal care the others, single file, trod after 
him. Stella now could see how fortunate 
it was he could coil his tail up out of the 
way. Such bad going would have ruined 
it forever. 

At first there was no track at all. Keep- 
ing as near as possible to the Milky Way, 
they simply went wherever it seemed easiest. 
The hills on both sides kept growing higher 
and higher. Here and there these approached 

147 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
so close to the bank, and descended so 
abruptly, that there was barely room for two 
to march abreast. 

The stream, too, became more and more 
confined; it purled and gurgled as it swiftly 
swept along its sky-strewn bed, or dashed in 
foaming breakers against the pebbly banks. 
Clearly, the travellers were entering the 
canyon Mr. Comet had mentioned, and 
Stella began to wonder how they ever 
could get out of it. 

The others proceeded so confidently, how- 
ever, that she did not become alarmed. Mr. 
Comet acted as one who knows what he is 
about; Aquarius splashed along as earnestly 
as usual; Roidy dropped behind now and 
then to skip flat pieces of sky across the 
river; and the face of Sirius was no more 
solemn than customary. So Stella kept 
her thoughts to herself, and waited to see 
where they would come out. 

148 


JUPITER TO THE RESCUE 
Soon they emerged suddenly into a small 
park. Here Mr. Comet swerved aside, and 
struck into a well-worn road which traversed 
the opening and led up and over the hill 
which formed its boundary. For some 
reason he seemed to be in a hurry; and fol- 
lowing him without talking, they quickly 
crossed the valley and climbed the steep 
ascent on the other side. When they arrived 
at the top all were out of breath, and paused 
for a moment’s rest. 

Stella seated herself on a little ledge and 
looked about her. The view was superb. 
Away to her left, as she faced the river, the 
chain of mountains with their glittering 
peaks extended in either direction as far as 
the eye could reach. To her right, spread 
out before her, lay the rolling hills through 
and over which she had just come; and 
beyond them, near the horizon, could be 
seen the blue-green plains. In front of 
149 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
her, from the very edge of the road, the 
bluff slanted directly down to a level place 
a few yards wide, beyond which the river 
rushed and roared. On either hand this 
sheer descent was so broken and jagged that 
no one could pass up or down over it; but 
right in front of Stella was a narrow line, so 
smooth and even that it reminded her of a 
toboggan slide. 

While she had been taking in the view, 
Roidy had been amusing himself by rolling 
stray fragments down the path, and shouting 
as he watched them glide and plunge into 
the stream. Now she jumped down to join 
him in his sport. 

“Look out; both of you!” cautioned 
Mr. Comet. “ If you slip off there, how we 
should ever get you back is more than I 
know.” 

The warning came too late. Stella was 
bending over to start just one more piece, 
150 


JUPITER TO THE RESCUE 
when Sirius, who always with great interest 
watched everything that went on, brushed 
against her. For an instant she tottered on 
the brink. Then she lost her balance com- 
pletely and with a little shriek fell upon the 
sleek incline. 

There was nothing which she could grasp, 
nor was there anything to retard her. Faster 
and faster, straight as an arrow from the 
archer’s bow, she slid from top to bottom. 
Fortunately, near the end of her fall, her 
gown caught on a sharp, projecting point. 
The tough cloth held for a second, and this 
seemed to ease her fall. As she approached 
the level space she rolled over and over, 
and finally came to a gentle stop against a 
mound upon the bank. Surprised to find 
herself alive, but really more frightened 
than hurt, she jumped to her feet. 

It was a perilous position in which she 
found herself. Behind her madly dashed 
151 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
the Milky Way ; in front was the slippery 
path up which she could not possibly climb ; 
and on both sides of this the sky was so 
precipitous, cracked, and craggy as to be 
absolutely impassable for a little girl. 

“ Stella ! Stella ! ! ” she heard Mr. Comet 
calling. Are you hurt ? ” 

‘‘No!” she cried back, briefly. Wisely, 
she thought it best not to tire herself with 
long sentences. 

“ Stand still, right where you are ! ” came 
the answer. “ We ’ll get you up some way.” 
But the voice betrayed an anxiety hard to 
conceal. 

So Stella waited for further orders. Grad- 
ually, as she became used to her strange 
surroundings, she began to look around 
curiously. Among the blocks and chunks 
which lined the bank she happened to 
notice, a hundred yards or so away, a long, 
dark object like a tree-trunk. There was 
152 


JUPITER TO THE RESCUE 
nothing very odd in this at first ; but soon it 
seemed to roll and turn, as though alive. 

Stella gazed at it intently. There was 
no question about the motion now, for the 
writhing and twisting were visible distinctly. 
Then suddenly, stretching out towards her, 
arose in the air the flat head and scaly neck 
of an immense snake, swinging from side to 
side and hissing angrily at the intruder. She 
could see the baleful eyes, the forked tongue, 
the cruel fangs! Now all was clear to her. 
That smooth path was the trail of Hydra, 
the serpent, to his resting-place beside the 
river, and she had tumbled right into his 
lair. Escape was impossible. With a single 
sob she sank in a little heap on the sky 1 
There, too dazed really to feel the pangs 
of fear, she lay motionless. Half consciously 
she understood that the serpent’s head, still 
wagging back and forth, had drawn a little 
nearer; and that her friends above her were 

153 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 


frantically trying, by shouting and by roll- 
ing rocks, to divert his attention. 

She realized too, though also dimly, that 
they were joined by a tall and shapely 
stranger, who seemed to quiet 
them with a simple wave of his 
hand. As she gazed, he leaned 
over the hillside and looked in- 
tently towards the place where she 
knew must be that swaying head 
and sinuous body. Next he drew 
himself to his full height and 
raised his right arm far above 
his head. In the uplifted hand she 
noticed a shining ball, dark yellow, 
like an orange. This, with a mighty effort 
which strained his entire frame, he now 
hurled downward through the air. 

Fascinated, Stella watched the object’s 
course. Strange to say, it seemed to move 
slowly, as though it might drop anywhere ; 



The Thunder-holt about to strike Hydra 







JUPITER TO THE RESCUE 
but ever it kept its course, just above the 
slanting clilFs below, and with every foot 
of progress it grew brighter and brighter. 
Finally, for an instant it paused over the 
spot where lay that hateful, loathsome rep- 
tile, the cause of all their dread. Then 
came a blinding flash, a deafening crash, 
and Stella knew no more. 

Slowly she came to herself again. Aside 
from a ringing in her ears and a slight 
numbness she was uninjured. 

After the awful events of the past few 
moments many girls would have been utterly 
distracted. But we have learned already that 
Stella is brave and self-possessed; so now 
she struggled to her feet to learn what 
had happened. The stranger could not be 
seen ; but Mr. Comet, Roidy, and even the 
grave water-bearer, were dancing around and 
shouting with joy, while Sirius kept them 
company. 


155 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

In a few moments she mustered up cour- 
age enough to look towards the serpent. 
The ugly head and neck had disappeared. 
Part of the body still was visible, but it lay 
motionless. You can imagine her relief when 
she perceived that Hydra would trouble her 
no more. 

This sudden rescue from one great danger 
caused her spirits to rise rapidly. ‘‘Well,” 
she said, “ I ’m glad to be rid of that nasty 
old snake. Wonder who the man is who 
threw the bomb. But there ’s no use talk- 
ing about it now; I must get out of here 
just as fast as ever I can.” She tried one 
side of the path and then the other, with no 
result except to scratch her hands and bruise 
her knees. But she would not give up, and 
was nerving herself for another effort when 
the voice of Mr. Comet reached her ears. 

“ Don’t wear yourself all out,” he called. 
“ Keep perfectly quiet. I ’ve thought of an 
156 


JUPITER TO THE RESCUE 
easy way to pull you up here safe and 
sound.” 

Scarcely had he ceased speaking when 
she saw, creeping over the rim and down 
the path, a yellow mass which at first she 
thought must be another bomb. As it came 
nearer she realized the truth. It was Mr. 
Comet’s tail, by means of which he was 
going to drag her out of danger. Soon she 
plunged her hands into the golden strands, 
and pressed her cheek lovingly against them. 
It seemed so good to take hold of something 
that was part of one she loved, even if it 
were only a tail. 

Crawl up into it a little way,” shouted 
Mr. Comet, and wrap yourself up in it. 
Let me know when you are ready.” 

Grasping the fibres in her hands, Stella 
stowed them about her and over her, till at 
last she was covered entirely, snug as a bug in 
a rug, secure as though packed in excelsior. 
157 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
All ready ! ” she called. Immediately 
she heard the clicking sound as the tail re- 
coiled ; and she felt herself being drawn, 
slowly but surely, along and up the way she 
had descended so swiftly. The next thing 
she knew she was standing in the road again, 
with all her friends about her. 

She recognized Roidy, digging his knuckles 
into his eyes as though he had been crying; 
and Aquarius, his face for once split in two 
with a grin like a jack o’ lantern ; and she 
felt Sirius press his cold nose against her 
hand, as he mutely begged her pardon. 
The stranger, too, was near-by. But her 
eyes all were for Mr. Comet. With a 
sigh of contentment she sprang into his 
outstretched arms and nestled against his 
breast. 

‘<My dear, dear child; my precious little 
friend ! ” he whispered in her ear. « Had 
you been harmed or killed I never should 
158 


JUPITER TO THE RESCUE 
have forgiven myself. If Jupiter, with his 
thunderbolt, had not come along, I fear 
you would have been lost. No; you need 
not thank him now. Rest for a few mo- 
ments. Are you sure you are not hurt ? ” 
Not the least bit,” she answered, throw- 
ing her arms around his neck ; « but I ’m 
dreadfully afraid you have mussed that 
beautiful tail so it never will be as elegant 
again.” 

‘‘That’s a good girl,” replied Mr. Comet; 
“ always thinking of others. But my tail 
will be better oif than ever. Exercise is 
good for it, and it ought to be spread out 
for an airing every once in a while. Why, 
once I carelessly left it covered up too long 
and the moths got in it. Honestly, I was 
ashamed to show it for over a century.” 

“ I ’ll bring you a few moth-balls when I 
come up again. And how would you like to 
have some powdered rose-leaves, like mother 

159 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
puts between my summer dresses when she 
lays them away ? Then your tail will smell 
perfectly lovely. And I ’ll tell you what I ’ll 
do, too; I’ll bring you a bottle of the hair 
restorer papa uses to rub around the bare 
spot on the back of his head. Like as 
not you could grow a fine lot of hair, and 
would n’t be bald at all.” 

‘‘Bless her kind heart!” murmured Mr. 
Comet; “bring them all, and thank you 
very much. The moth-balls and rose-leaves 
are just what I want ; and if my hair 
grew out I ’d look younger, and perhaps 
Venus — ”; here he checked himself sud- 
denly. Then he added : “ What a silly old 
man I am I Just as well we should not 
mention that again. After all, Stella dear, 
we old folks realize that nowhere in earth 
or heaven is there mortal love more satisfy- 
ing than the tender, unselfish love of a little 
child.” 


JUPITER TO THE RESCUE 
In chatting this way with Mr. Comet she 
forgot the danger from which she had just 
escaped. Her full strength came back to 
her, and she slipped from Mr. Comet’s arms 
to the ground. With a word to Roidy, a 
smile to Aquarius, and a pat for Sirius, she 
turned her attention to the stranger to 
whom she owed her life. 

Such a big person she never before had 
seen. His height must have been nearly 
seven feet, and his body was broad in pro- 
portion. From the top of his bare head his 
oily locks fell in profusion around his neck 
and shoulders. His garments, in color a 
royal purple, were of finest texture, and 
fitted him perfectly, though loosely. An- 
other item, which could not escape notice, 
was a broad belt, glittering as though set 
with costly gems. It encircled his body so 
tightly that the cloth in places hung over it 
in folds. 

” i6i 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

«You killed that horrid snake for me,” 
said Stella, looking up into his good-natured 
face, ‘‘and I’m ever so much obliged. You’re 
so strong and brave.” 

Before he could reply, an idea suddenly 
occurred to her. Running around behind 
him she lifted up the edge of his sack-coat. 
As she expected, the belt was joined together 
with three safety-pins. That settled it. Her 
rescuer was Jupiter, as Mr. Comet had said. 

Her action amused Jupiter greatly, and he 
laughed heartily. “You’re looking for those 
safety-pins, are you ? ” said he. “ They ’re 
there, all right; and a good job they did, 
too. You rescued me with your pins, and 
I rescued you with my bolt. That ’s a fair 
exchange, is it not ? ” And again he laughed 
till the hills seemed to shake. 

“ Was that really and truly a thunder- 
bolt ? ” asked Stella. 

“Yes, indeed; ball lightning, I believe 


JUPITER TO THE RESCUE 
you folks call them. Always try to keep 
a sphere or two of it with me. Comes 
in handy sometimes. Chain lightning is a 
trifle more deadly ; but it ’s harder to carry 
around, and it’s more difficult to aim it 
straight, too. These balls are the handiest 
for general purposes.” 

“ Have you many other kinds of bolts ? ” 
Lots and lots of them. More than 
you ’ll find in a hardware store. Keep 
them at home, put up in assorted packages, 
as the clerks say.” 

<< Oh ! I do wish you ’d let me have one 
tiny little one to take back with me. I ’ll 
fire it off* next Fourth of July.” 

<< Sorry, but I have n’t one with me now. 
Used to carry a lot of them all the time, just 
for the fun of the thing; but I had an acci- 
dent and quit it.” 

‘‘You didn’t get hurt, did you?” 

“Mighty near it. You see I had this belt 
163 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

made into a cartridge belt, like the soldiers 
wear, and filled all the places clear around 
my body with bolts. That worked all right 
for a few days, and I had a pile of fun scar- 
ing folks with them. But once I scraped 
my arm carelessly across the tops of them, 
just as you might rub something over the 
heads of a bunch of matches. Well, they 
all exploded, one after another, and came 
near burning me in two in the middle. 
No more of that for me, thank you.” 

<< Have n’t you just a little one some- 
where? Feel in all your pockets.” 

‘‘Not a single one. Hold on now; I 
might have a yard or so of sheet lightning.” 
Here he examined all his pockets again, and 
even turned them inside out. 

“Well, I do declare!” he said; “I haven’t 
any of that, either. I usually take a bit of 
it along, and sometimes use it for a necktie 
or a handkerchief. Pretty color, and quite 

164 


JUPITER TO THE RESCUE 
harmless. Occasionally I am troubled with 
a sore back. Then I rip ofF a piece of sheet 
lightning, rub it with my hands till it glows, 
and clap it over the lame place. Beats a 
mustard plaster all hollow.” 

During the conversation Mr. Comet had 
been showing signs of restlessness. So Stella 
said, Don’t you think we better start ahead, 
Mr. Comet? Perhaps Jupiter will go with 
us.” 

No, my way is in the other direction,” 
said Jupiter. ‘‘I was just taking a climb 
for exercise when I heard your yells. Am 
mighty pleased 1 got here in time. Now 
I ’m going down to see Neptune a minute. 
Good-bye.” And Jupiter strode down the 
hill. 


165 


Chapter IX 
ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 

must move along as fast as we 
can,” remarked Mr. Comet when 
the little party once more took 
up the march. << If we reach the caves soon, 
we can talk to Mr. Moon before he goes in, 
and then see Mrs. Sun just as she comes out. 
That is why I walked so fast a while ago. 
They seldom are visible at the same time, 
and if we do not arrive as they change 
watches we can see only one, unless we 
wait twelve hours or so.” 

Let ’s hurry, then ! ” cried Stella. ‘‘ Is it 
far from here ? ” 

« The distance is not so great, but it ’s a 
stiff climb up, — a mile higher than where 
we now are, I should say. Look ! ” and 

i66 


ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 
Mr. Comet pointed towards the mountain- 
tops. ‘‘ Do you see that red light, with the 
white one near it, on the very edge of the 
peak olF there ? The red is right over 
Mrs. Sun’s front door, and the other is 
over Mr. Moon’s.” 

There was no difficulty in locating the 
objects to which Mr. Comet referred. While 
every point on the whole range glittered and 
twinkled, there were in the direction in- 
dicated two gems of light, sparkling like a 
ruby and a diamond, and so large and 
splendent as easily to be distinguished from 
all the others. These marked the under- 
ground dwellings of Mrs. Sun and Mr. 
Moon. 

<< This trail is well travelled because it ’s 
the only one over the mountains for hun- 
dreds of miles,” continued Mr. Comet, still 
stepping briskly along; ‘‘we’re sure to meet 
a few of my friends. I suppose I ’ll have to 
167 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
pass the time of night with them, and be 
civil, but we need n’t be hindered much.” 

Aquarius now drew closer to Mr. Comet 
and began to talk to him in a serious way. 
As Stella and Roidy trudged together, close 
behind them, she could not help overhear- 
ing much that was said. The water-bearer 
seemed to think it would be safer to change 
their plans, and not to visit the Sun and 
Moon at all. He thought they were not 
proper persons for Stella to meet. Mr. 
Moon, he had been informed, got full once 
a month, regularly ; they might find him in 
a shocking condition ; there must be some- 
thing wrong with Mrs. Sun, also, for she did 
not spend her time with her husband, as a 
married woman should. It did not seem 
right to him that Mr. Moon should be up 
all night and remain in his cave all day, 
while his wife wandered around alone every 
day, and kept in her cave at night. 

i68 


ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 

Mr. Comet, on the other hand, contended 
that the right way to tour is to see all 
parts of a country and all classes of people. 
Admitting that a child should be guarded 
from evil, he said that it should be remem- 
bered that the sight of a living example once 
in a while is a good object-lesson, and serves 
as a warning. 

He insisted, too, that Aquarius based his 
statements on mere rumors. This idle gos- 
sip might be entirely false. In his opinion 
it is just as easy to believe good of people 
as bad, and a much better habit. 

So they argued, earnestly but good- 
naturedly. Stella was very anxious to call 
on the Sun and Moon, and saw with dis- 
appointment that Mr. Comet seemed to be 
wavering. Thus she was glad when further 
discussion was interrupted by wild cries of 
“ Stop ! Stop ! Stop thief! 1 ” These shouts 
were repeated over and over with such 

169 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
energy and force that all halted at once to 
learn the cause of the disturbance. 

This was not hard to find. In the road, 
some distance behind them, they could dis- 
cern the figure of a man coming towards 
them at top speed. With every bound he 
gave forth a yell like those which had just 
attracted their attention. As he approached, 
he plainly showed every mark of excitement 
and anger. The shepherd’s crook, held aloft 
in his right hand, he brandished savagely, and 
with his left he swung in circles the skin of 
an enormous lion, like a signal of distress. 
A sword, loosely fastened to a belt around 
his waist, flapped against his legs and more 
than once almost tripped him. 

When he caught up with them he dropped 
his crook, drew his sword, and without even 
waiting to recover from his exertion, he 
seemed prepared to attack Mr. Comet and 
Aquarius. Roidy sprang nimbly behind a 


ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 
rock, and motioned to Stella to do likewise; 
but Sirius, bending and twisting his body till 
it almost broke in two, greeted the new 
arrival with all the signs of affection a dumb 
brute can show. 

What now, Orion ? ” cried Aquarius, at 
the same time bringing his jar around in 
front of him as though for a shield. “Are 
you blind and crazy, that you threaten two 
old friends ? If aught has been stolen from 
you, we will be the first to help you to 
detect and punish the miscreant. Am I 
not right, Mr. Comet ? ” 

“Yes, indeed!” said Mr. Comet; “but if 
Orion deliberately has set out to insult me, 
I demand satisfaction here and now, if I can 
but borrow a sword somewhere. Such a 
charge against me, his favorite son, will 
bring my old father’s gray tail in sorrow to 
the grave.” 

A look of astonishment came over the 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
face of Orion. The sword and the lion’s 
skin slipped to the sky beside him; and he 
reached out one hand to Aquarius and the 
other to Mr. Comet. 

« What can this mean ? ” he exclaimed. 
‘‘You two certainly are not thieves. That 
little Asteroid hiding there would do nothing 
really wicked; and this girl, who looks as 
though she is about to cry, would not be 
found in bad company.” 

“ Perhaps an explanation from you would 
be in order,” replied Mr. Comet. “We 
have not the least idea what all this row is 
about.” 

“It’s simple enough,” Orion proceeded. 
“ Early this evening I started out for my 
usual hunt, and at once missed my faithful 
dog, Sirius, who has followed me for years 
and years, as you know. I could not find 
him anywhere, and made up my mind that 
the lion, Leo, must have killed him at last. 


172 


ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 
Down near the ford I chanced to meet 
Castor and Pollux. They told me they had 
passed four vagabonds taking my dog along 
with them, and gave me the direction in 
which you had departed. I hurried along, 
and when, afar off, I saw you with the dog 
accompanying you, I thought I must do 
battle with a set of bandits.” 

Let me tell you how it is,” Stella inter- 
rupted. “ I ’ve just longed to play with 
Sirius lots and lots of times. To-night he 
barked at me, and when I came up to call 
on Mr. Comet he ran over to see me. He ’s 
as cute as he can be, but you can take him 
now if you want to. Won’t you trade him 
for our Hector ? ” 

‘‘Not much; but as long as it’s all right 
you can keep him with you to-night. When 
you are through with him point your finger 
at him and say, ‘ Home, Sirius, home ! ’ and 
he’ll find me again. Now I must go back. 
173 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
I ’m far away from my customary hunting- 
grounds. Farewell — all of you. Just wait 
till I catch those Gemini.” And without 
waiting for another word Orion left them. 

Again the ascent of the mountain was 
commenced. As they climbed side by side, 
Roidy pointed out to Stella many strange 
animals with which this part of the sky 
seemed to abound. Scorpio, the scorpion, 
lay extended at full length on the slope 
below them. His big claws and long feel- 
ers quivered in the air, and when Roidy 
threw a piece of sky at him he raised his 
tail, armed with its deadly sting, as if to de- 
fend himself Stella was glad indeed that 
he was no nearer. This was her feeling, 
also, when Draco, the dragon, thrust out his 
horned head from a crevice above them. 

A little farther along Aries, the ram, barred 
the road, as though he would dispute their 
right to advance; but a shout from Aquarius 
174 


ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 
caused him to jump to one side. Poised on 
the very top of a lofty crag, Corvus, the cro\v, 
spread out his wings as if prepared for flight; 
next, just above them, soared Aquila, the eagle, 
carrying the boy Antinous grasped in his talons. 

At the sight of a lad in such apparent 
peril, Stella cried out in dismay. Roidy, 
however, calmed her by saying that Antinous 
had ridden in this way so long that he en- 
joyed it, and was even too stingy to give 
any one else a chance. When the eagle 
was directly over them, Roidy, to prove this, 
called up : Hello, Anty ; how ’s tricks ? 
Come on down and let me try it a while.” 
To this Antinous made no reply except to 
wave his hand and smile, as he was borne 
out of sight around a projecting headland. 

Along the highway, too, passed an almost 
steady stream of people. Some of them 
Stella recognized at once, and the names of 
the others were told her by her companions. 

175 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
She cannot remember them all ; and some 
were so horrid she wishes she could forget 
them. There was Serpentarius, holding in 
his outstretched hands the body of a serpent; 
Bootes, the herdsman, his body bare save for 
a half blanket tied around his waist; and 
Centaurus, part man, part horse, and except 
for the lack of wings so much like Sagitta- 
rius that at first Stella thought the archer 
had come back to them. Lupus, the gaunt 
wolf, followed him. 

With a shudder Stella speaks of two espe- 
cially, who rushed by so close to her that she 
could have touched them. One of these was 
Perseus, half clad, carrying aloft in his left 
hand a glittering sword, while from his right 
there hung a human head covered with wrig- 
gling snakes instead of hair; the other, Her- 
cules, was armed with a mighty club, and 
gripped in one hand what looked like three 
freshly severed dog’s-heads. 

176 


ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 

Stella did not care to travel a road crowded 
with such people; and she was pleased when 
Mr. Comet now told her they probably would 
not see many more, as it was almost morn- 
ing. The next instant he cried out : « Why, 
there ’s my stubborn friend, Auriga, the wag- 
oner! I simply must stop a moment.” 

Stella now beheld an open wagon by the 
side of the trail. In it was kneeling a man 
with a look of determination on his face, as 
though his mind were fixed on some definite 
purpose. 

<‘How d’y’j^Riga?” called Roidy. «What 
are you squatting there for ? Think you ’re 
in an auto?” 

« It ill becomes me, my good friend,” recited 
Aquarius in his sing-song way, to advise one 
who so evidently knows his own business ; but 
perchance you will not take it amiss if I 
suggest that you would arrive sooner at your 
destination if you would get out and push.” 

12 177 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

« Neither your jeers nor your advice move 
me at all/’ replied Auriga. See, this wagon 
is stoutly and handsomely built, with rubber 
tires and double springs. It is meant for use. 
There is a pole, also, which shows that two 
steeds should pull it. Until these are pro- 
vided me, here I remain. That much is 
settled.” 

‘‘And you won’t have to stay long, either,” 
shouted Stella, excitedly. “ Those noses 
coming around the bend there must belong 
to two horses.” 

“You are mistaken,” answered Auriga. 
“They are simply fragments. Neither is 
any more good than a hole without a cookie 
around it. Look for yourself, now.” 

Beyond question he was right. As the 
objects came into full view they proved to 
be but parts of horses. One had head, neck, 
shoulders with long wings attached, and front 
legs; the other was a head and neck only. 

178 


ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 
After her experience with Taurus, Stella was 
not much surprised at the one with legs ; 
but to see a horse’s head and neck moving 
around at the proper distance above the sky, 
and with no support at all, astounded her 
greatly. 

What do you think of that, now? ” asked 
Auriga ; « I have knelt here and pondered 
for centuries, but I can see no sense in it. 
Here I am, waiting for something to drag 
my chariot; and there, instead of even one 
whole horse, are two portions, each absolutely 
worthless. You would at least think that 
Equuleus, the one without legs, would have 
the wings; but on the contrary, these are 
given to Pegasus, who has legs also. Is 
there any justice in it?” 

It does seem funny,” Stella remarked; 
« but I ’ll tell you what you do. Put 
shafts in your wagon instead of a pole, and 
hitch them up tandem, one in front of the 
179 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
other. Equuleus will look fine floating 
along in front as the leader; and Pegasus, 
with front feet and wings, ought to pull as 
much as if he had four feet. The hind-half 
of a horse is n’t much use, anyway, except 
to kick up, or to switch its tail over the 
lines.” 

Not to be thought of! ” insisted Auriga, 
firmly. « I ’m going to have two complete 
animals. No scraps for me, and that ends 
it. Nor have I told you the worst of it,” he 
continued. Look at Sagittarius, will you, 
and Centaurus. Did you ever see a finer 
horse’s body than each of them possesses ? 
So there are two good bodies spoiled by 
having men stuck on to them, and here are 
two perfect heads, useless because there is 
nothing else to them. It’s enough to set 
me wild. Why, back there in the sky is as 
superb a bunch of red hair as you ever set 
eyes on. Coma Berenice’s, they call it. I ’m 
i8o 


ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 
actually in love with it ; but there ’s not a 
sign of a woman’s body anywhere. What ’s 
the use of a lone, red scalp, anyway? Talk 
about your < pigs in clover ’ puzzles ! These 
sky freaks beat them all.” 

Here Mr. Comet seemed about to try to 
offer some explanation ; but, if so, he changed 
his mind, for he said only: ^‘You are not 
the first one who has found things in the 
heavens or on earth which he could not 
understand. But we must be going. If 
steadfastness of purpose counts, you will win 
yet. Farewell.” 

Just after they had started, Mr. Comet ran 
back and appeared to ask Auriga a question. 
When he had caught up with them again he 
said : 

« I was trying to find out if Saturn has 
been around here. He tells me the old man 
is in jail; so I can’t show you his rings this 
trip.” 

i8i 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
‘‘ Whatever is the matter ? ” asked Stella. 

<< Of course you know about the beau- 
tiful rings he owns. Your astronomers, I 
believe, always are admiring them. Well, 
he ran short of money, and pawned them 
to Cepheus. It seems he represented them 
to be solid gold. One turned out to be 
only brass ; and when he could not repay 
what he had borrowed, he was imprisoned 
for cheating. I ’m very sorry for him, and 
shall try to bail him out a little later.” 

During the rest of the journey the road 
was deserted, save by themselves. The ascent 
was steep, and the trail zigzagged back and 
forth along the mountain-side. Stella kept 
her eyes fixed on the sky beneath her. It 
was necessary for her to exert all her strength, 
and to take each step deliberately and firmly. 
Still, she is such a plucky and sturdy little 
girl that she had no idea of giving up, and 
even now will not admit to me she was very 
182 


ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 
tired. But she does say that she never be- 
fore worked so hard, and that she was glad 
when she reached a level space again and 
heard Mr. Comet call out, Here we are, 
at last ! ” 

The place where they now stood was 
smooth as a floor, and perhaps as deep as 
the ordinary yard. It was hemmed in be- 
tween the slope up which they had just 
climbed, and the cliff's, which rose a few 
hundred feet higher and formed the back- 
bone of the range. Right in front of her 
Stella saw the ruby and the diamond she so 
often had gazed at from a distance. Below 
these were two openings which she knew 
must be the mouths of the caves mentioned 
by Mr. Comet; and near-by the figure of 
a man was pacing nervously up and down. 
This was Mr. Moon. 

As soon as Sirius beheld him he elevated 
his nose in the air, and gave utterance to 
183 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
a series of prolonged and plaintive howls. 
Words could not stop him, and he ceased 
only when Roidy grabbed him by the neck 
and shook him. Even then he kept whin- 
ing and growling to show that he would 
continue his serenade at the first possible 
opportunity. 

Upon hearing this racket Mr. Moon turned 
towards them and asked crossly, ‘‘What does 
all this mean, anyway ? I can’t stick my 
head outside my cave but every dog and 
pup, from one rim of the earth to the other, 
yells and yowls at me. Big and little, fat 
and slim, old and young, in bass and tenor, 
soprano and alto, they all get after me. It ’s 
not surprising I have no nerves left. And 
now you haul Sirius up to my very door to 
annoy me further.” 

“ Pardon me, my good Mr. Moon,” said 
Mr. Comet, soothingly; “we will keep Sirius 
quiet while here, and take him with us when 

184 



Unhappy Mr. Moon 











ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 
we go. I am showing my little earth-friend, 
Stella, about the sky, and I could not help 
bringing her here to see the most glorious 
orb in all the heavens.” 

This flattery seemed to mollify the moon 
a little, but his voice was grumbling as he 
spoke again. «It’s a wonder that you re- 
member me at all. Seldom do any of you 
folks come near me in my sickness. One 
of these years I shall be gone for good. 
Then some may be sorry they have not 
treated me better.” 

Mr. Moon’s appearance showed that he 
really must be ill. Never had Stella looked 
on one so wan and pale. His face was 
thin and gaunt, also. In the centre it was 
sunken, like a dish. At the top the fore- 
head stuck out sharply, and below, the 
narrow chin ran up into a point. Viewed 
from one side it looked not at all unlike 
the disk that in the early hours of the morn- 
185 




STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
ing you yourself may have seen, low-hanging 
in the eastern sky. 

I am sorry you are not well,” remarked 
Mr. Comet; ‘‘but you should not become 
downhearted. Keep up your spirits.” 

“ Keep up my spirits, you say ! ” whined 
Mr. Moon. “ Can’t you see that I ’m on 
my last quarter? A man can’t be jolly in 
such a fix. Couldn’t lend me a half, could 
you ? ” 

Mr. Comet shook his head. 

“ Of course not ! ” snarled the Moon. 
“ Pestered by a hot, noisy wife ; deserted by 
my friends ; howled at by the dogs ; raved 
at by poets ; tormented by the woes of 
broken-hearted lovers ; what is there left 
for me, anyway ? ” 

“ But you must keep good-natured,” said 
Stella. “ Mamma says we ’ve always some- 
thing for which to be grateful.” 

“ What have I to be thankful for ? ” 

i86 


ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 
asked Mr. Moon, sourly. «Tell me that, 
please.” 

‘‘Well, perhaps because you’re not made 
of green cheese.” 

“Who says I’m made of such stuff? It’s 
a base lie. Every one slanders me. Now, 
if it were nice, yellow cream cheese, that 
goes with mince pie on Thanksgiving Day, 
I would n’t care so much. But I ’m dys- 
peptic and can’t eat pie.” And Mr. Moon 
groaned dismally. 

“ Do you think you take good care of 
yourself? ” inquired Aquarius. “ I try to 
be charitable towards the opinions of others, 
although, as my occupation shows, I am a 
cold water temperance man ; yet it does 
seem to me that to spend one-half of 
every month getting full, and the other 
half recovering from it, is not a proper 
life.” 

“ That ’s another falsehood. I ’d like to 
187 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
find out who started it. My wife, Mrs. Sun, 
has heard it; and though she pretends to be 
good to me I know she more than half 
believes it. The truth is I have n’t taken 
a drink of anything stronger than milk or 
water in all my life. The only safe rule for 
stars as well as men is never to taste wine, 
beer, or anything of the kind.” 

I ’m sure you ’re a good man,” said 
Stella; “and I’m sorry you’re abused so 
much.” 

“That’s a good girl,” whimpered Mr. 
Moon. “It’s so sweet to find some one 
who will sympathize with me. Now I ’ll 
tell you what ’s wrong. I ’m afflicted with 
every swelling disease on the calendar. Once 
a month I ’m stricken, and as soon as I get 
over one thing I catch another. If it is n’t 
dropsy it’s mumps; and if it isn’t mumps 
it ’s toothache. I reckon I ’ve had mumps 
and toothache more times than all the boys 

i88 


ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 


and girls in the world put together. And 
when my face puffs up, folks say I ’m 
full.” 

It is too bad,” remarked Stella. When 
I get back home I ’ll tell everybody that you 
don’t drink at all. And is n’t there some- 
thing else I can do for you ? ” 

“A thousand.” 

‘‘ But I could n’t remember so many. 
Tell me just one.” 

‘‘Well, you say to the boys and men 
down there where you live that I ’m dis- 
gusted with having to hear all about their 
sweethearts. Why should they pick me out 
and fire all their troubles at me ? But they 
do. Adam commenced it, telling me how 
much he loved Eve ; and since that time 
every man — black, white, red, yellow, and 
speckled — who ever lived has smiled and 
sighed and groaned and cried at me because 
of some woman or other. Do you won- 
189 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

der I ’m all worn out, listening to their 
nonsense ? ” 

No, indeed; I never thought of it that 
way, but it does seem ridiculous.” 

“ Now hearken again. When you get 
back, you commence this reform right at 
home. Not a week ago a boy not old 
enough to wear long trousers stood out on his 
front porch and told me he did n’t care to live 
any more, because Stella was cruel to him.” 

<‘Why, isn’t that funny!” said Stella. “It 
must have been Ned, the night after dancing- 
school. He wanted to take me home, but 
papa came for me. I did n’t think Ned 
cared, though ; ” and Stella looked not at 
all displeased. “Tell me just exactly what 
words he used.” 

Mr. Moon opened his mouth to reply, but 
went no farther. At this instant sounds as 
though from some one singing in a high- 
pitched voice issued from the Sun’s cave. 

190 


ILL-TEMPERED MR. MOON 
‘‘Look out!” shrieked the Moon. “There 
comes my wife. I simply can’t stand her 
songs and laughter when I ’m in this ner- 
vous condition.” And he dove into his 
cave like a rabbit into its burrow. 


Chapter X 

GOOD-NATURED MRS. SUN — HOME AGAIN 

M rs. sun was coming. To judge 
by the sound, there could be no 
doubt about that. Each instant 
the turmoil increased. Her voice echoed 
and re-echoed from one side of the cave to 
the other. What she was singing could not 
be distinguished; but one could see that she 
was in a pleasant frame of mind, and was 
not at all afraid of sharing her happiness 
with others. 

All at once, so suddenly that Stella gave 
a little jump, out bobbed Mrs. Sun herself, 
very much after the manner of a Jack-in-the- 
box. Without noticing that she had com- 
pany, she hurried to the opening into which 
Mr. Moon had just disappeared. Thrusting 


HOME AGAIN 


her head inside, she continued to pour forth 
her song, at first loudly, and then more and 
more softly, till finally the notes ceased 
entirely. After a few moments of silence 
she turned about, and with her arms resting 
akimbo above her hips, she gazed wistfully 
into the distance. 

Mrs. Sun was a sight to behold. She her- 
self and everything on her was red, and the 
reddest kind of red. It looked as though 
it would burn you if you but touched it 
anywhere with the tip of your finger. Her 
large head was exactly round — a perfect 
circle. From this her red hair, long and 
wavy, streamed in every way imaginable. It 
stuck up and out and sideways. It hung 
around her ears, under her chin, and down 
over her breast. In fact, a ring, drawn in 
crimson ink, with straight lines radiating 
from it in all directions, is a very fair pic- 
ture of the head and hair of Mrs. Sun, as 
13 


193 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
Stella saw them. Her face was the same 
color as her hair, and the gown the same 
as her face. It was hard to tell where the 
one ended and the other began. 

The dress was a Mother Hubbard, some- 
what worn and frayed, with full skirt, sleeves, 
and bodice, and belted loosely about the 
waist. It continually was flopping and 
flouncing up and down, in and out, as 
flames hover around a bonfire. Such a 
human torch Stella never before had met. 
Involuntarily she placed her hand before 
her face as if to shield it from the heat, 
and drew closer to the water-bucket of 
Aquarius. 

While Stella had been making this exam- 
ination, Mrs. Sun had been recovering from 
her exertion. Now she withdrew her gaze 
from the horizon and let it slowly wander 
over objects nearer her. Soon her eyes 
rested on Mr. Comet and the others. In- 


194 



Smiling Mrs, Sun appears 












HOME AGAIN 


stantly she came forward with a beaming 
smile which left no doubt of her kindly 
welcome. 

<< How glad I am to see you ! ” she called 
out. Have you noticed my dear husband 
around anywhere ? ” 

‘‘We have had quite a chat with him,” 
answered Mr. Comet. “A few moments 
ago he retired into his apartment. The 
poor man does not appear to be in the 
best of health.” 

“ That ’s true,” said Mrs. Sun. “ Ever 
since I can remember he has been ailing. 
He seems a little worse of late, too, since 
some one started the report that he is tipsy 
when he gets full. It bothers him all the 
time to be talked about in such a way. I 
tell him not to mind. It ’s what we are, 
not what people say we are, that counts. 
But he can’t look at it as I do. This 
ought to be a warning to all of us not to 

195 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

gossip. There are three times when we 
should not speak ill of people, — when it 
is n’t true ; when we don’t know positively 
whether or not it ’s true ; and when it is 
true. There ’s enough good in every one 
without talking about the bad. What do 
you think of my philosophy, Aquarius ? ” 

In fitting words you have given voice to 
a sentiment I long have entertained,” replied 
the water-bearer, entirely forgetting his argu- 
ment with Mr. Comet. But why is it you 
and your husband do not associate more 
together ? ” 

<‘It is too bad,” remarked Mrs. Sun; but 
it can’t be helped. His sickness has worn 
on his nerves so that he stays up all night 
because he can’t sleep, and that is the time 
I must rest, as I am at work all day. Some- 
times I see him for a few moments, just at 
evening or in the early morning. I really 
wish I could comfort him more.” 

196 


HOME AGAIN 


And how is your health ? ” asked Stella, 
who had been listening intently. She thought 
Mrs. Sun a very dear woman, indeed, for all 
her queer appearance. 

Oh, I’m all right. To be sure, I have 
a bit of a fever. Suppose it ’s because I 
have to go across the sky every day, no 
matter what the weather; and I never have 
a vacation. I smile all the time, though ; 
and one can’t get down sick when one 
keeps happy. I really think I am getting 
better.” 

Perhaps that ’s what my books mean 
when they say you ’re growing cooler all the 
time,” Stella suggested. 

^ We ’ll soon see,” cried Mrs. Sun. I ’ll 
use my thermometer.” Here she picked up 
from the sky a tube as long as a clothes-pole, 
and with the agility of a sword-swallower 
stuck it down her throat. There she held 
it, and Stella saw a little white line in the 
197 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 


centre rise rapidly towards the end way up 
in the air. 

After about five minutes Mrs. Sun re- 
moved the instrument and handed it to 
Stella. ‘‘ What does it say ? ” she asked. 

‘‘Why, it’s marked like a tape-measure! 
I can’t find any figures for degrees.” 

“ Degrees I Do you think I can measure 
my heat in that way ? A common ther- 
mometer would melt in my mouth like a 
stick of candy in yours. Tell me what it 
reads.” 

“ Nine feet, seven inches.” 

“ I thought so. That ’s one inch cooler 
than I was five hundred years ago. Just tell 
your teacher so, will you ? ” 

“Yes, indeed. And did you always have 
to work so hard?” Now Stella was begin- 
ning to feel sorry for Mrs. Sun. 

“ I ’ve had to go across the sky once a day 
ever since I can remember; but it wasn’t so 

198 


HOME AGAIN 

bad when I was rich. Instead of these caves 
we formerly had a grand mansion. This is 
how the papers spoke of it in the society 
notes : — 

‘ The sun’s bright palace, on high columns raised, 

With burnished gold and flaming jewels blazed. 

The folding gates diffused a silver light. 

And with a milder gleam refreshed the sight.’ 

What do you think of that ? ” 

Perfectly lovely! Tell me more, please.” 

‘‘Not about the house. That’s enough. 
But I had a chariot to ride in; horses to 
draw it; a maid, Aurora, to open the door 
for me ; and once we even hired a driver. 
Phaeton. Ever hear of him ? ” 

“ Why, he was the boy the Sun-horses 
ran away with, was n’t he ? And he most 
burned the earth all up. Then Jupiter hit 
him with a thunder-bolt, same as he killed 
Hydra for me.” 

“He’s the one. I didn’t know what be- 

199 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

came of him. I ’m sorry if Jupiter killed 
him. He did n’t mean any harm.” 

<<But with Mr. Moon’s sickness our trouble 
commenced,” continued Mrs. Sun. We 
kept growing poorer and poorer. First I 
discharged Aurora. Then I sold one horse 
and drove the other; sold the chariot and 
rode horseback ; sold the last horse and 
walked; and sold the house, to live in a 
hole in the sky. But I have my husband 
left, and what’s the use grumbling? It’s 
just as easy to laugh as to cry, and makes 
you feel lots better.” 

‘‘ I think you ’re perfectly grand ! ” cried 
Stella. « But don’t you find it hard to work 
so every day, — Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, 
and all ? ” 

It is hard. I ’ll not deny that. But 
every one has a duty to perform, and it can 
best be done with a smiling face. What 
hurts me most is that boys and girls down 


200 


HOME AGAIN 


on the earth fret and scold when rainy days 
come, just as if it’s my fault. Remember 
next time, please, that Mrs. Sun, with her 
sleeves rolled up, is here behind the clouds, 
doing her very best to shine through. And 
I always do win in the end, don’t I ? ” 

‘‘ Of course you do ; and I ’ll tell all about 
you when I get back. But would n’t it be 
nice if you had a big red automobile to ride 
in ? ” 

« Fine ! I never thought of that. What 
do they cost ? ” 

<< I don’t know; but a whole lot, I 
expect.” 

<< Well, I ’m going to save every penny I 
can, and see if I can’t buy one. It’s exactly 
what I need. What ’s the best, steam or 
gasoline ? ” 

A woman as fiery as she is would n’t 
last long over a tank of gasoline,” whis- 
pered Aquarius to Mr. Comet. 

201 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 


What were you saying ? I did n’t quite 
understand you.” 

woman as sweet and gentle as you are 
should have whatever she may desire,” droned 
Aquarius, his face, as always, expressionless. 

‘‘Well, it didn’t sound like that,” said 
Mrs. Sun. “But you wouldn’t speak any- 
thing bad of me, I ’m sure. Now I must 
begin my tramp. There come the clouds, 
too. My raincoat ’s all worn out, and 
I ’ve lost one of my rubbers. I ’ll have to 
pin up my skirts and take off my shoes and 
stockings. Is n’t that funny ? ” 

While Mrs. Sun thus prepared herself for 
her journey, Stella looked down the moun- 
tain-side and off towards the horizon. She 
could not detect the slightest sign of a 
change in the atmosphere. The outline of 
every hill and crag and canyon, and the 
shades of blue and green and purple, were 
as plainly marked as ever. 


202 


HOME AGAIN 


I don’t believe it ’s going to be bad at 
all,” said she. “Aren’t you mistaken, Mrs. 
Sun ? ” 

“Never a bit,” answered Mrs. Sun. “I ’ve 
watched the opening of too many days not 
to know what’s what. The air is a trifle 
damp; makes the ends of my hair droop. 
And there’s a hazy spot way over there that 
means mischief. Climb up by the lights 
where you can see all around better.” 

“ Come on, Roidy ! ” cried Stella ; and 
the children, taking Sirius with them, scram- 
bled up to the very top of the ledge. The 
ascent was too severe for Mr. Comet and 
Aquarius, who came about half-way and 
stopped ; but Stella in her eagerness found 
a point above all the rest, and only large 
enough for her alone. On this she placed 
herself in great glee, because she had out- 
stripped Roidy and had mounted higher 
than he. 


203 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

From her vantage ground the view was 
as perfect as though she were in a captive 
balloon. The whole circle of the horizon 
was before her, with absolutely nothing to 
obstruct the sight. Turning slowly around, 
she looked in every direction; and this com- 
plete picture of the whole sky she is sure 
she always will remember, just as she saw it 
then. 

The grand panorama lasted but a mo- 
ment. Almost immediately she observed 
what seemed a grayish haze around the 
outer edge of her field of vision. While 
she peered intently, to make sure, it rapidly 
became more and more pronounced. Then 
she chanced to glance up at the black vault 
overhead. To her surprise it had assumed 
a leaden hue. When again she surveyed 
the sky there were vast billows of mist 
where before the haze could but faintly be 
descried. 


204 


HOME AGAIN 


So the clouds gathered, faster than she 
ever knew them to assemble before. Out 
of plains and canyons, hills and mountains, 
the whitish films arose. From above, down- 
ward; from without, inward; from below, 
upward; swiftly, silently, steadily they came. 
The point whereon she stood was the very 
centre around which these ghostly vapors 
grouped themselves ; and ere Stella had 
time even to wave her hand or to smile 
farewell, once more she was wrapped from 
head to foot. 

For a second Roidy’s red cap glowed like a 
lighted cigar through its ashes ; she heard the 
dripping of the water from Aquarius’ urn, 
and a low whine from Sirius. If Mr. Comet 
called a message, it did not reach her. The 
last thing she saw was the smiling face of 
Mrs. Sun, — a blood-red disk that seemed 
strangely familiar. Then there was nothing 
but the dim, dull darkness of the fog. 

205 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
^<Well,” said Stella, «if all this goes as 
quickly as it came, it won’t last long. I 
must stand still, or I ’ll fall off this steeple 
I ’m on. Why, it ’s getting so thick I can 
lean against it. My, but it ’s soft as a feather 
bed ! Now that there is no one near, I am 
just a little tired. Guess I ’ll take a nap till 
it clears up.” 

So Stella rested herself upon the clouds. 
As was the case when, early in the evening 
she sat in her big chair, she might have gone 
to sleep had not something, just as she be- 
gan to doze, aroused her ; but this time, 
instead of the barking of the dog-star, it 
was a swishing, creaking sound, as the whole 
mass in which she lay began to swing and 
turn and twist. 

I ’m sailing right off the mountain-top,” 
she shouted, and away from Mr. Comet ! ” 
Fiercely she dug with her hands and 
kicked with her feet, in hopes that she 
206 


HOME AGAIN 


might touch some peak to which she could 
cling, but in vain. The motion now became 
so regular and gentle that she closed her 
eyes. Did child ever have a softer couch 
on which to lie ? No wonder that she did 
not fear for the future, but instead, lived 
over the events of the strange night just 
passed. 

Again Mr. Comet sat asleep in the silver 
chair of Cassiopeia; Mars described the 
fighting of the football game ; Sagittarius 
and Aquarius disputed over Taurus; Venus 
taught the Nebulae about bees and pig- 
pens; Mercury thanked her for the safety- 
pins; Neptune asked her to be sure and not 
forget the papers; and Jupiter hurled his 
lightning at the proper time to save her 
from the fangs of Hydra. 

So real was this vision of the thunder- 
bolt that she cried out aloud and opened 
her eyes. While so doing, she struck with 
207 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 
a decided thud against something, and found 
herself sitting on what could be neither mist 
or sky. Surely it was not her chair ? 

But it was the chair, placed in the corner 
of her room, right where she had left it. To 
satisfy herself, she felt of the arms and back. 
There could be no mistake. Bewildered, 
she stared around the room. It was broad 
daylight, and everything could be seen, 
exactly as it should be. The white spread 
on her bed was tucked in neatly at the 
sides and bottom. No one could have 
slept there. She gazed towards the west 
and north. The fleecy fog of early morn- 
ing was rising from the earth. Then with 
a start she looked out through the tiny east 
window. Mrs. Sun, a crimson ball, was be- 
ginning her daily walk across the heavens. 

‘‘Good luck and a pleasant journey!” 
shouted Stella; and did the sun really nod 
in reply, or was it her imagination ? 

208 


HOME AGAIN 


Why, I never thought I ’d light here,” 
she mused. “ It ’s plain how I was carried 
up, and how I was brought back. That ’s 
easy. But how the clouds shot me right 
through that open window into this very 
chair, without even bumping my head, is 
more than I ever shall understand. No; 
I sha’n’t let papa know where I went, nor 
Jack. They’d laugh at me. But I’ll trust 
mamma and that writing man across the 
way, who ’s always so good to me. Wonder 
when I ’ll go visiting again. It ’s such fun. 
Don’t suppose to-night ; but I know I 
shall some time. Now I must get ready 
for breakfast.” 

In this way Stella returned to earth from 
her wonderful journey to the sky. I am glad 
indeed that she trusted me enough to describe 
her trip to me; and you must be pleased 
also, because if she had not let me know I 
could not have written it all out for you. 

14 209 


STELLA’S ADVENTURES 

Do you think one of these nights she will 
go up again and re-visit Mr. Comet and her 
other friends ? Likely she will ; and one 
thing, at least, is certain, — if she does she 
will talk it over with me afterwards. In 
that case, do you not want me to tell you 
about it, too ? 


210 




















m 15 1907 





